Holmes admits there is concern after heavy loss to dubs
Mayo joint team manager Pat Holmes was naturally disappointed after his side lost heavily to Dublin in the Allianz National League on Saturday, writes Aiden Henry.
There is concern, the manager admitted, when you lose by 14 points and concede 2-12 from play. He said: “This is something we will have to seriously look at and remedy over the next two weeks. Our intention coming into the game was to win the two league points on offer. But we didn’t and what went wrong we will have to correct.
“Conceeding 2-12 from play was very disappointing. This is certainly an area we will have a good look at and make sure to put it right. But we just don’t become a bad team over night on account of losing one game. We have put up big scores in our previous games and it is only when you lose a game that questions are asked.
“It is hard to say what went wrong but we will certainly be working hard on it and will go to Cork expecting to win.'
Holmes said Mayo were beaten 'in most aspects' of play, adding that Dublin were 'simply a better team in all areas of the field' on the night.
'But we will knuckle down and get things right for our game against Cork in two weeks' time,' he promised.
Naturally, Dublin manager Jim Gavin was pleased with his side's display. He said: 'We have been putting in extra work over the past few weeks and the team is improving. I couldn’t but be pleased at this performance. The lads worked very hard and picked off some great scores.
“Indeed, with regard to scoring we had been creating just as many chances in our previous league games but didn’t take them. This was different, and to come to Castlebar and beat Mayo by 14 points is a very good result.
“But we will need to continue to improve and it is good that we have most of our players back playing. There are a few more to come back yet, which also is a help. Overall, the performance by the team was very good and their workrate was excellent. These are the sort of performances we need to be having as nothing less will do against the top teams.'
Mayo's cause against Cork in the next round will not be helped by the continued absence of ace forward Cillian O'Connor, Pat Holmes confirming after the Dublin game that the Ballintubber clubman is troubled by injury and will not be rushed back until fully recovered.