An opportunity for Mayo boss McStay to assess his squad's early potential

GAA COLUMN: BY MARTIN CARNEY

RIGHT now we are in the middle of what I’d call the ‘in-between time’ – that interim period between the return to training and the start of the 2023 football season.

From what I gather, preparations are moving along impressively. Bekan, for the most part, has hosted training and the initial fitness base is well established by now.

With an FBD game with Galway today followed by a challenge match on Sunday against Antrim in Castlebar, players will get an opportunity to lay claim for a place in the league squad.

Furthermore, it will afford management an early opportunity to gauge form and fitness, and figure how the new faces in particular are developing.

With so many vested interests vying for the services of the young, upcoming talent is forced into an invidious position early in the year. The dream of getting a call-up to the county senior panel is high on every player’s wish list but complications inevitably arise.

For many, Sigerson Cup commitments clash with the demands of their county senior and Under 20 teams.

Maybe it’s a bit grandiose in saying it, but the young lad can become a victim of his own talent.

The reality is that over the next two months, football will be centre-stage. Building and maintaining good fitness levels, catching the eyes of the selectors, getting game time and remaining injury free are going to top his wish list.

Many of the young are already on this fast-moving roller-coaster. In the past, participation in the Sigerson Cup was an important coming-of-age moment in a footballer’s career.

The thrill of playing alongside players from different counties – in many cases alongside lads with All-Ireland medals already in their pockets – set the seeds for friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Learning from these and borrowing from them the positive aspects of their games was both enriching and fulfilling.

Little has changed. Sigerson has already commenced; semi-finals are due to be played on February 7, 8 or 9, with the final scheduled six days later on Wednesday, February 15.

By then two rounds of the National Football League will have been played. All seven rounds of the league are done with by the weekend of March 25 and 26.

The finals in all four divisions take place on the first weekend in April and some of the provincial championships start the following weekend!

Hopefully it will be the case that Mayo are still in the running for the Under 20 crown and if so, that final takes place on the weekend of May 13/14.

POSITIVE

I didn’t get to the opening game of the season against Sligo in Ballina (watching the traditional Celtic v Rangers Old Firm derby is an annual weakness) but if reports are anything to go by, there was much to be positive about.

Many of those given a start did their chances of selection no harm. Just now though in Mayo, one position screaming for a reliable and specialist occupant is the full-back berth.

Over the last two seasons, Padraig O’Hora, Stephen Coen, Lee Keegan and Oisin Mullin between them have manned the spot, with distinction at that, in championship football.

Unfortunately, reality tells us that Mullin is no longer there, Keegan’s intentions are still unclear and both O’Hora and Coen arguably play their best football further afield. Indeed, all four are more suited to the freedom that the half-back line affords their attacking instincts.

Brendan Harrison I strongly fancied for the position in recent seasons but his tenure in the position was compromised due to his struggles with injury.

Encouragingly, I hear he is on the wider panel and will be given time to recover from his latest injury setback.

In their first team selection of the year, management named David McBrien in the number three slot flanked by the Ballyhaunis tyro Jack Coyne. McBrien, from my limited experience seeing him, looks to have many of the attributes necessary to make the position his own.

His command of the area in front of goal is impressive; he appears strong in the air and attacks the ball. A good man- marker, his game-reading faculty would suggest his biggest asset.

With such a short and condensed inter-county season, Mayo need someone to step forward without delay and declare their suitability for the position.

The Ballaghaderreen man just now looks in pole position to do that. Coyne’s consistent club form has also propelled him to the front of the waiting list.

Mobile and with good attacking instincts, the defensive side of his game is nonetheless solid. Mayo’s immediate quest to find someone for that pivotal three position will provide one of the intriguing sub-plots over the next few weeks.

Of others who featured against Sligo, Sam Callinan, Bob Tuohy and Conor McStay are probably the trio least familiar with the broader Mayo footballing public. All are there on the back of strong club performances in last year's championship.

The likes of Conor Loftus (appointing him captain for the day was an interesting development), James Carr, Donnacha McHugh and Jack Carney have had spells in the jersey but the afore- mentioned provided the fans with plenty to talk about.

Callinan impressed in Ballina’s championship run last year and possesses the versatility needed in the modern game. Hard-working and with a talent for linking play, he is an exciting prospect.

Real corner forwards are a specialised breed who rely heavily on instinct, bravery and cunning before ever they unload a shot at goals. Conor McStay has many of these fundamentals and given time could add a credible scoring threat to the full-forward line.

‘Athletic development’ is today's buzz-phrase in the GAA lexicon and if anyone measures top of the class in this respect it is young Tuohy. Gifted athletically, possessing fine temperament and attitude, there is much to anticipate from the Mitchels player.

With two dress rehearsals for the league this weekend against Galway and Antrim, the McStay regime will get a good opportunity to assess current form.

Exciting times beckon.