Glorious Mayo sporting chaos beneath summer sunshine
Sitting across from the stand witnessing Saturday evening’s entertainment was an honour in and of itself.
Over 15,000 people marched to MacHale Park to witness the do-or-die championship game. It was on home soil, but that has rarely moved the needle in the betting odds for Mayo, with recent disappointments at home strong in the memory.
MacHale Park has not been a fortress. Meath supporters, to their credit, travelled in their droves; Mayo supporters, in truth, had lost their voice too.
But on Saturday, barreling down the home stretch, chipping away at a gallant Meath lead, it was found in true tenor as supporters leaped and yahoo’d the side on to secure a memorable win.
Now, it’s Croke Park that awaits, the home of football that is yet another honour to attend as a supporter or scribe.
There was genuine ecstasy on the streets of the county town in the aftermath of the game.
It was the weather, the nature of the win but the inherent belief that Mayo supporters carry and, most crucially, a wizened understanding that this Mayo side, of all Mayo sides, might just enjoy the honour of Croke Park’s hallowed turf all the bit more.
Enda Hession was truly superb and deserving of his post-match accolade, Kobe McDonald was electric and consistently kept the scoreboard ticking, Livingstone is swiftly becoming a firm fan favourite, and what’s more, Tommy Conroy followed up the positive cameo against Tyrone with a stellar performance. Mike Finnerty on commentary said he was rolling back the years.
Conroy’s performance raises the level of Ryan O’Donoghue - they have an inherent understanding - and Cian McHale was lively off the bench. What can you say about Jordan Flynn? A man who is playing football with that cheeky grin back on his face, the new rules are made for him, sending Mayo smiles around the world and back.
The character and resilience of this Mayo team needs to be studied in depth, and must stem from management creating a positive team unit.
It’s hard to deny that while the chaos is superb entertainment, the rollercoaster isn’t for the faint-hearted of Mayo supporters. It’s jogo bonito football from here on in. The defensive frailties aren’t by design but they look to be part of the package.
Andy Moran himself has said that he isn’t happy with a lot of the defensive play but when you have an attack like this Mayo one, it’s hard not to overload and rely on scores coming from all over. Close your eyes and repeat the mantra: "Attack is the best form of defence."
Still, the positivity has rightly rolled on in. There’ll be little else I’ll personally talk about, and I know it will be the same for many as football will be discussed from morning to night across the county. Long calls to relations in distant lands will add to the buzz, while plans to meet friends and family in Dublin have already begun.
The rumour mill will ramp up, as is natural. Three years has been too long of a gap since Mayo made it to Croke Park. We took it for granted. Despite the lack of silverware, they were well and truly glory days.
As Andy famously quoted a Mayo fan: “Football and funerals - that’s the only time I get to see my relations anymore.” Thank god for football, and here’s to a memorable weekend in Dublin.
DOUBLE
It was a double for Mayo sides over the Royals at the weekend as Castlebar Celtic comfortably dispatched Parkvilla with a comprehensive 4-1 win in the FAI Junior Cup. Played under stone-splitting sunshine, it was a lively afternoon for Celtic’s attackers.
Dylan Felle, Dan Ajenipa, Jason Hunt and Oran Murphy all bagged goals for Gavin’s side.
Next up in the FAI Junior Cup for Celtic is a game against Tulla of Clare.
But first they will embark upon a tricky week of action with Ballyheane at home in the Super League on Thursday evening and Westport United at the weekend.
Strong, high-level games are precisely what Celtic need if they are to compete at the national level in FAI cup competitions. ‘Bring them on’ will be the mantra of Gavin and Flynn as they prepare for a hectic summer schedule on all fronts.
Mayo FC are continuing to go about their business too. All signings will be formally announced on July 1, when the mid-season window re-opens.
Ben Edeh has been joined by Gary Armstrong, Aidan Coyle and Sean McAteer, while speculation is rife regarding Glenhest Rovers striker Connor McCarthy and Noe Baba - two names with solid experience in the game that have local connections to the county.
McCarthy most notably plied his trade in his native England with FC United of Manchester and Baba was most recently with Athlone Town after a spell in England and Germany.
His signature is sought after by Mayo FC as they aim to build an experienced side that will hit the ground running during the autumnal campaign.
What is most pleasing from a Mayo FC perspective is the fact that Anthony O’Neill has sought remedy a deficit seen at underage levels in the Mayo FC ranks.
Physicality is the aim of the game in Irish football and the players who have come on board possess that in abundance.
Fingers crossed we’ll have the Mayo roar in Milebush once their season begins at the end of August.