Old issues rear up again as Mayo get set for scenic route
TYNAN'S TAKE
From a Mayo point of view, the only thing that was perfect last Sunday was the weather.
The Green and Red will have to do things the hard way – is there any other way in Mayo? – following a narrow one-point defeat to Galway in the Connacht SFC championship at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
The sponsor’s name has changed but age-old problems continued to plague Mayo once again on their own turf and Galway, who I felt didn’t perform all that well themselves, look set for a showdown with either Roscommon or Sligo in the Connacht final unless Andy Moran’s Leitrim pull off the mother of all surprises.
There were a couple of positives to take. The performance of Cillian O’Connor for the most part was excellent. There were a couple of understandably rusty moments but for someone to play 75 minutes in a red-hot championship game for the first time in a year after a long layoff is exceptional.
You can question Mayo’s decision making near the opposition’s goalposts but their desire, guts and determination is never in doubt. They almost took it to extra time with a late flurry but Galway held firm.
However, just like their league form, they were on the back foot in the first half yet again through Johnny Heaney’s seventh minute goal although to Mayo’s credit they did pull level at the break.
I made the short walk from Celtic Park to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park for the second half and despite that late burst, there could be few complaints about the result in the end.
Some poor wides were kicked, with a total of 14 in all for Mayo. At this level you will not win football matches. Simple as that.
Another issue was how easily Galway were turning over Mayo in possession, as they hit them on the counter on numerous occasions for crucial scores. Like Tyrone in last year’s All-Ireland final, Mayo look very vulnerable coming up against a well drilled defensive unit and it is something other teams coming up against Mayo in this year’s championship will take note.
So it’s a six-week layoff for Mayo now before the backdoor route begins and it is one Mayo have got real joy from in the past. James Horan will hope to have his injury list come down significantly before early June.
There could be some big hitters waiting for them hoping to make the most of their second chance, like Mayo. There will be no third chance if Mayo come unstuck again and if Horan is looking for a contract extension, that will do it no favours either.
Strap yourselves in. This could get bumpy.