Mayo must eradicate insecurites under pressure in championship of comebacks
by John Melvin
It goes without saying the prize for the winners in Omagh today is absolutely huge.
Mayo’s one-point victory over Monaghan in Round 1 of the All-Ireland Championship in Clones, where it finished 1-24 to 2-20, resulted in a clash with Tyrone in Round 2A (3.30 p.m.)
Mayo travel with a lot of credit in the bank account, created mainly by their bounce-back performance against Monaghan following that Connacht semi-final crash to Roscommon at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, where it finished 2-25 to 1-18 to the Rossies.
Andy Moran used the five-week break wisely to remedy some of the problems that arose against Roscommon and to prepare a plan for the Monaghan clash as he sent a strong Mayo team into battle, making a number of key changes in the troubled areas of defence and midfield while also shaking up the attack.
It was, beyond doubt, a hugely improved performance on the MacHale Park debacle, the first half in particular dominated by Mayo.
However, what was at one stage looking like a picnic suddenly turned into a horror movie as the battling qualities of Monaghan – not for the first time in this year’s championship – surfaced in the second half and almost wrenched victory from the jaws of defeat but for a vital free from Ryan O’Donogue which ultimately saved what could have been an embarrassing result.
Once again Mayo’s insecurities under pressure and their inability to protect what became at one time a 12-point lead resurfaced, Moran's charges perhaps a tad fortunate to scrape home by a point.
For those of us following Mayo now for many moons more than we care to remember, we have become accustomed to accompanying them as they walk a tightrope at times.
Just when they appear to have made it safely to the other side, there is always the danger of a slip into the abyss – and we have had a few close shaves already this year.
I doubt if we will get away with another one. A defeat to Tyrone would put us in a tough position for the third round of the championship, while victory would secure a place in the quarterfinals.
For me, Tyrone could be something of a dark horse in this year’s championship, which began for Malachy O’Rourke’s men with a narrow one point defeat to Armagh (1-17 to 1-18 after extra-time) in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship.
We know the strides Armagh have made since then and in my humble opinion, the Orchard County are a good bet to win the Sam Maguire Cup.
Tyrone bounced back from that early defeat in Ulster to defeat Roscommon (3-16 to 2-18) and, of course, they took Mayo out in that All-Ireland final of 2021 (2-14 to 0-15) following a championship that was shortened considerably due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with the group stages not played.
It will be tough for a Mayo team that is short on experience, but they did return from Monaghan with a win and there is plenty of positives to suggest that they are well capable of conjuring up another big performance in what is going to be a tough venue, with the home support likely to play a key role in trying to get the Ulster side over the winning line.
The Mayo manager and his team still have plenty of work to do if they are to have any hope of staying in the race but they are not without hope.
That first half against Monaghan did in fairness produced some excellent football and a number of high quality two-pointers, as well as a slam-dunk goal from Kobe McDonald after Darragh Beirne set him up.
McDonald and Beirne impressed either side of O'Donoghue in a dangerous full-forward line, while the performance of Jack Livingstone in goal was another major boost for Andy Moran, who made a big call by dropping Robbie Hennelly.
It was a decision that paid off, with Livingstone producing a number of saves which, in the end, were to prove crucial in fashioning a victory.
However, Mayo’s continued problems in defence raise some concern, and I expect we will see more shuffling in this department.
The midfield has improved and I do think they are well in with a shout if they can keep the pressure on Tyrone and do not stand back and allow the hosts to dictate terms.
That would be fatal but the 2026 championship will be known as the year of the great comebacks and the drama of extra-time.
Be prepared for a rollercoaster of a ride which could well need extra-time before the scales hopefully tilt in Mayo’s favour. The prize for the winners in Omagh is absolutely huge.
The bookies have Tyrone favourites to win at 8/11. Mayo are 11/8, with the draw in normal time at 7/1.
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