Mayo GAA representatives Mitchels can't take anything for granted in London clash

by Martin Carney, Mayo's foremost GAA columnist

CASTLEBAR Mitchels don the mantle of Mayo representatives when they fly to London for this afternoon's clash with Fulham Irish in the opening round of the Connacht club championship.

It’s a big responsibility to carry.

Since its inception all of 60 years ago, Mayo clubs have not thrived to the extent anticipated in Connacht.

All have found it hard to make the expected impact in the competition and although seven have been successful in the province, with the exception of Ballina Stephenites and Crossmolina Deel Rovers, none of the other five have gone on to All-Ireland success.

Of the successful provincial winners – Castlebar Mitchels, Ballina Stephenites, Crossmolina, Charlestown, Garrymore, Claremorris and Knockmore – Mitchels lead the way in the honours list with four titles to their name.

Damningly, it’s not since they were last successful in 2015 has a Mayo team being crowned Connacht champions – nor, for that matter, contested a provincial final.

Call it the luck of the draw if you like, but this year Mayo escaped being pitted against any of the home-based teams and find themselves in a provincial semi-final against Fulham Irish.

Only in existence since 2006, the club offers hurling and football to all its playing members who live reasonably close to central London. In winning the title this year, they added a fourth to their list having enjoyed their inaugural success in 2017.

Irrespective which prism this game is viewed through, Mitchels would appear to possess too much all-round quality to leave themselves vulnerable to an upset.

For example, let’s look at their county representatives. Watching their progress in winning the Moclair Cup, what was noticeable was the influence wielded by all of their county players.

Certainly, in defence, few are going to make significant inroads through a unit manned by Sean Morahan, Donnacha McHugh, Patrick Durcan and John MacMonagle. Behind them, Rory Byrne has remained a model of consistency and assurance.

Aside from commanding his goal region with authority his re-starts have invariably provided a successful launching pad for his colleagues.

Clearly, much well-thought-out work has underpinned the improvement in this area. Over the course of the season, Bob Tuohy and Ultan O’Reilly have become accustomed to one another’s style and have thrived as a consequence.

Winning the All-Ireland seems to have done wonders for Tuohy’s confidence judging by the standards he reached in the county final. Aside from brushing aside the Garrymore midfield challenge (a sector that had stood to them in their run to the final), he displayed inspirational leadership traits.

Getting around the field comes easy to the big midfielder. What he drew from his locker and displayed in the final was an ability to take scores.

A six-point return is a high credit rating any day; in the final it proved priceless. Tuohy's challenge now is to see that display as his benchmark and aim for it in all future outings.

Joe Forry has been the standout forward on the Mitchels team throughout the season. Low-set and menacing, he can manoeuvre space for himself and finish moves in style.

Cultivating a threatening unit rather than being reliant on the few is what Mitchels are still seeking. The Fulham Irish game is an ideal occasion for others in the attack to find improvement.

Games are there to win. It would be calamitous to treat the London champions with anything other than full respect.

Bekan last year hosted the opening round in the competition between Ballina and North London.

As late as the commencement of the final quarter the sides were level. It took an unanswered hat trick of orange flags from Ballina’s Frank Irwin, Dylan Thornton and Mikey Murray to break their resistance and see the Stephenites safe.

Expect a not-dissimilar scenario to unfold today.

Fulham will stay with the Mitchels for a period but as the games unfolds, expect the Mayo champions to grow stronger. It’s too inviting an opportunity to spurn.