Mayo players held secret meeting after Galway defeat

AFTER their defeat by Galway in the Connaught championship semi-final on Sunday, June 11, the Mayo senior players held a secret meeting among themselves the following Saturday night, June 17, in Castlebar, The Connaught Telegraph has learned.

The meeting took place at 10 p.m. after most of the players had lined out for their clubs in the Mayo club championships that evening (the last club game started at 7.30 p.m.)

It is believed it was arranged to discuss their exit from the Connaught championship and to give everybody the opportunity to air their views. 

While Mayo team manager Stephen Rochford didn't attend this meeting, he was aware of it taking place.

Although no details of what was discussed among the players have been made public, it is understood players addressed many issues, including their recent performances and how best to regroup after failing to win the Connaught title for the second year running.

Mayo will meet Derry in their first game of the All-Ireland qualifiers in Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, on Saturday evening next at 5 p.m. Having home advantage, they will be at very short odds to win this game.

In order to get their championship aspirations back on track, Mayo will have to win three rounds of qualifiers to reach the quarterfinals.

This they did last year by beating Fermanagh, Kildare and Westmeath.

However, their opponents this year are expected to much stronger and they will need the luck of the draw if they hope to have these games at home.

Last year they got the rub of the green by getting their three games at home in the qualifiers.