Amazing game and Lyons' sour grapes

Thursday, 24 March 2011 12:44

0 Comments

Looking at the final scoreline between Dublin and Mayo last Sunday one couldn't be blamed for thinking this encounter was in the national hurling league instead of the football league. Indeed, in hurling the final score of 4-15 to 3-13 would have been put as a cracker in terms of scoring. But no, it was football and after just 20 minutes gone in the game you would easily have obtained a million to one to predict the Mayo tally of 3-13 at the end of the game.

At this juncture they were 4-4 to 0-2 behind and looked dead and buried. Indeed, the only question being asked at this stage was would Mayo's biggest ever beating in a national football league be about to happen.
But we weren't prepared or could even in our wildest dream predict what was to happen over the 26 minutes of playing time. From 14 points down they came back to level matters by the 46th minute.
This next period of play by Mayo turned what looked like another forgettable journey to Croke Park for the supporters into one of admiration for their team.
In the end Mayo lost by five points as it was the Dubs who carved out the late scores. But the final result could have been a lot different if Mayo, after getting back on level terms with Andy Moran's point, converted two good scoring chances to take the lead. A one-or two-point lead at this stage might have driven them on to get a victory which seemed as far away as the moon 20 minutes into the game.

But the end result was another two league points dropped by Mayo, which leaves them very much in relegation trouble. They will now need to get something from their two remaining games, against Cork at home on Sunday week and Monaghan away in their final outing. The Monaghan game looks like the crunch tie as the winners will likely stay up and the losers drop to division two.
The game on Sunday was good television viewing, especially for neutrals. From start to finish it was end to end stuff with scores coming thick and fast. I am sure many Mayo supporters were thinking of switching off after 20 minutes. But those who didn't switch the off button were pleasantly surprised.

After the Dubs' deadly duo, Diarmuid Connolly and Tomas Quinn, had cut Mayo to pieces for the first 20 minutes it was the turn of the Mayo deadly duo of Jason Doherty and Alan Freeman to take centre stage. Doherty, with two goals, and the third from Freeman, turned things completely around. Both were awesome throughout and for two players so young they have struck up a delightful partnership in the full-forward line, partnership that only get batter and better.
But before any of the Mayo goals were scored they kicked a few great points. Here, the one man who stood out was Richie Feeney. For me he was the man who started the ball rolling on the great comeback as he kicked two wonderful points at a time when Mayo needed something or someone to settle them. Indeed, besides these two points, Feeney was simply outstanding throughout.

When looking for positives, this was the sort of games and time of year where lessons are learned. It was a day the Mayo management learned a lot about certain players and positions in the team.
Besides Freeman, Doherty and Richie Feeney, Ronan McGarrity, Andy Moran and Alan Dillon were very much to the fore. It was also a plus for the management to see Ballaghaderreen's James Kilcullen making an impact when drafted in to the midfield area.

Lyons sour grapes?

Watching RTÉ's Sunday night league programme hosted by Michael Lyster, I was interested to hear what the two panellists, Tommy Lyons and Bernard Flynn, had to say about the game and especially their comments about Mayo.
The two things I did expect to hear them talk about- Mayo's shocking first 20 minutes and their great comeback-didn't materialise. Yes, they spoke at large about Mayo's disastrous opening 20 minutes and how bad they were. But that was it.
Lyons was especially critical of Mayo and never gave any bit of credit for their great comeback. Flynn wasn't much better.
It was only at the end of the discussion on the game that Lyster had to ask them comment on the Mayo come back. Here, no credit was really forthcoming, only that the Dubs took the foot off the pedal.

I am sure had the tables been turned, in that it was Dublin who came back from 14 points down, their tune would have been a lot different and Dublin would have received plaudits a plenty.
I just wonder with Lyons was it a bit of sour grapes in that it was James Horan who got the nod to be Mayo manager instead of him last September. Tommy, Mayo deserved a little more credit than you gave on Sunday night.