It may have been a shaky start but James Horan and his merry band of Mayo footballers got the show on the national league road on Saturday night before an attentive and appreciative audience at McHale Park. The pitch stood like a beacon against the backdrop of a black night sky as a crowd of around 7,000 approached from all corners of the town.

Down travelled big for this one and I'm told there was a buzz around the county town on Friday night (I'd be gone to bed well before closing time), with pubs reporting a brisk trade and picking up all the money they had lost in the big freeze over Christmas.
"It made up for Stephen's Day," was the comment from one publican who had to actually work himself for a change and order extra staff in to help keep the flocks watered.
Figures were boosted by the All-Ireland darts championships, which were held in Breaffy House Hotel, so there was a fair buzz around the place.

For James Horan, it was an anxious night. He showed some bravery during the week in his team selection and had it backfired, the manager would ultimately have to carry the can and face the music.
To their credit, the team responded to the faith placed in them with a gutsy second half performance and a draw was probably the fairest result in the end.
The next game should bring a big crowd to the venue on Sunday week when Kerry travel to town.
The Kingdom and Cork played out another local derby last week with the Rebels sneaking it by a point in a game that saw a player from both sides sent off.

Kerry are generally slow starters in the league but they will be anxious to pick up points and will probably see Mayo as one of their better opportunities for a win on the road.
From what we saw from Mayo in the second half on Saturday night, they will not be easy meat for any team. A fascinating league lies ahead.
At this stage I wouldn't mind having my money on the Dubs for the league title.
Neighbours Galway did not fare so well, losing to Monaghan, the Rossies could only draw with Longford (oops, the team who knocked us out of the championship last year), Limerick, under Ballinrobe native Maurice Horan, crashed to Tipp, while Sligo did well to come home alive from Donegal, never mind bringing a point back with them.

Keeping the Wolves from the door
Mick McCarthy certainly has the hoodoo sign over the big guns. Man United were the latest to fall victim to bottom of the table Wolves while Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool discovered that money can't buy everything, the Wolves boys showing the passion and pride needed to fell the big trees and proving reputations count for nothing when it's 11 against 11.
Man Utd followers were rubbing their hands with glee with the prospect of another Premiership title, but fair play to Mick and the boys for putting a rather big fly in the ointment and I wouldn't be running to Paddy Powers just yet to be paid out.

As they say, it ain't over until the fat lady starts to sing and at the moment she is just starting to clear her throat. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal could spoil the party at Old Trafford.
And well done to Grainne, the stunning bar lady (sorry, bar person) in the Big Fellow's, who backed Liverpool against Chelsea at half time at odds of 5/1. I'll have a large one, or is that money going into our Magnificent Seven kitty?

Quote unquote

"I don't mind the lights at all, in fact it is probably saving me on my ESB bill. It is that noise from the Saw Doctors during half time which I find most annoying and upsetting."
The thoughts of a McHale Road resident on the new floodlights at McHale Park which, like the Mayo team, shone like a beacon on Saturday night, and suggesting perhaps the GAA should change their choice of music. Maybe the sound of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony might be more in tune! Must have a word with the DJ, Kevin O'Toole.

"There's nothing between the two teams, only two goals."

Half-time comment on Mayo v Down match.

 

Winner alright
We got some interesting feedback from our photo of Rocky 'Marciano' Moran whose encounter with a barber left him bloodied but unbowed.
Some of the captions are for adult viewing only but the winner, and very much to the point, came from a regular reader, Sean Walsh, the man who scooped the Cheltenham pot last year in the Castle Inn.
"I only came in for an ear cut," wins Sean our prize of seven nights in the Cairo Park Hotel, which is situated, on what is left, on the main square in the Egyptian capital, which is kind of occupied at the moment.
We're not sure how much of the hotel is left in view of recent problems in Egypt, and the other difficult is we could only get a one-way flight so he will have to make his own way back.

 

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