A SWITCH IN TIME
Veteran Mayo star invigorated by role at edge of square
ACOUPLE of weeks ago, Armagh and Mayo served up the sort of early springtime thriller that had supporters thinking of the possibilities of the summer ahead. Even though it was only February and the Allianz League, more than 14,000 spectators left the Athletic Grounds with plenty to talk about.
Some of the conversations they have had many times before, such as Mayo’s game-management issues. This has been a constant talking point for more than a decade, but their inability to hold onto a five-point lead with only a few minutes remaining was fresh fodder as the debate raged again in Ballina and Ballinrobe over the past ten days.
What may have been overlooked in the chatter over Mayo’s most recent failure to see out a game they had controlled was the departure of Aidan O’Shea from the action.
The veteran rolled back the years in Armagh with his best and most effective performance for the county in a few years.
When Lee Keegan called time on his county career last month, there was a feeling that O’Shea might be tempted to join his teammate in retirement. Even though O’Shea is the younger of the pair he started playing for the county a couple of years before the Westport native. O’Shea has clocked up the third most appearances for the county with only Andy Moran and Keith Higgins having played more.
And as long as Mayo’s gamemanagement has been a topic in the county, debate has also raged about O’Shea’s best position.
Such is the nature of the modern game, that it has always been hard to decipher where to make the best use of O’Shea’s physicality.
It has long grown weary but it will be argued again as the season gathers pace, whether he should be used at full-forward, centre-forward or midfield — he even had a stint at centre-back in last year’s league campaign.
The 2015 season was one of Mayo’s more forgettable ones during a magical odyssey going back to 2011. Joint managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly paid the price and were ousted by the players but one thing the duo did well that summer was deploying O’Shea to the edge of the square — there he had a memorable battle with Philly McMahon over two games in that year’s All-Ireland semi-final.
However, the dilemma for Mayo is that they could also do with O’Shea’s footballing nous and physical stature further out the field. That has always been the problem. Then Connacht side could have done with O’Shea in two or three areas of the field.
But now, as he enters the endgame in his county career, Kevin McStay and his management team might have succeeded in narrowing his focus. O’Shea will be 33 this summer and there has been many inside and outside of his county who felt his race was run. However, his performance against Armagh answered those critics.
He looked re-energised by the role devised for him by McStay and Stephen Rochford.
The Mayo GAA blog pointed out O’Shea was the only survivor from the county’s previous visit to the Athletic Grounds 11 years ago. He imposed himself on proceedings back then and did likewise a fortnight ago.
Once he was fed with decent supply from further out the field, O’Shea was quite productive. His size means he is going to be a good target man but one of his most under-rated attributes is his skill and ability to find the right pass. And when you have a full-forward so equipped , it makes any team dangerous.
Crucially, O’Shea spent most of the game at inside-forward and only roved out the field when required, especially in the second
His display in Armagh answered the critics
half. Such patience will be key this year. Even if Mayo are going through a spell where supply has dried up, O’Shea will need to be disciplined and remain close to the square — in case possession is turned over.
On Saturday night, All-Ireland champions Kerry come to Castlebar. The Kingdom hold a special place for O’Shea, given both his parents are from the county.
Kerry are always seen as the ultimate test in Gaelic football and this will be a real examination of O’Shea’s credentials to man the edge of the square in the summer ahead.
While he may no longer have the pace or mobility to compete in midfield, especially in Croke Park, a role as the focal point of Mayo’s attack, where his technical ability and size can cause any team problems, may be what re-energises the player. And the team.