Everything but Sam.
In every team there are the flamboyant guys with the cornrows – Ciaran McDonald – and there are the guys who are happier to go out on the pitch in normal black boots and socks up to the knee.
Ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final between Mayo and Dublin, we’ve taken a look at five Mayo footballers who were unsung heroes of previous teams who were more than happy to be Howard Donald than Gary Barlow.
David Heaney
By virtue of his pure natural talent he was able to play in both defence and attack, and only when announcing his retirement did Mayo really appreciate the void left in his absence.
He was a mainstay for the best part of a decade, but in truth the county has never convincingly replaced his authority on the edge of the square.
Full-back for two of the All-Ireland final losses to Kerry in 2004 and 2006, the former Swinford clubman was powerless to stop the green and gold wave once again washing away Mayo’s September hopes as he struggled against Kieran Donaghy in his pomp.
A former county captain, he retired at just 32 with many feeling that he at least had one, if not two, more years left in him.
Mayo supporters often wonder how he would have handled Michael Murphy in the 2012 final, he quit the game with no silverware apart from Connacht medals and an NFL title in 2001 to his name.
Trevor Mortimer
One third of the famous clan and a two time All-Star but never quite as flashy as brother Conor.
Another who was equally comfortable in defence or attack, he had a unique blend of skill and pace and was a central part of Mayo’s charge to various finals in his decade long career.
Making his debut in 2000 he brought a new life to a side looking to recover from the near misses of the mid 1990s and his role in nurturing Conor as well as aiding brother Kenneth in the squad often went unnoticed.
@MarkMcHugh1 wat bot young glennan from westmeath or trevor mortimor ?? #unsungheros
— Donal Kelly (@donalkelly13) February 27, 2012
County captain in 2009 and 2010, he never earned the All-Star he so richly deserved and quit he inter-county scene in 2012 after not featuring under James Horan for the early part of the league.
Seamus O’Shea
Younger brother Aidan might have the better hair, but there is much to be said for the development of Seamus as one of the best midfielders of the new decade.
He has benefited from Aidan’s redeployment to the forwards and under both James Horan and the current management has excelled as both as ball winner and tireless ball-carrier.
Started the 2013 All-Ireland final and has used the experience to good effect ,while Aidan has benefited massively from his sibling’s energy and strength in midfield to pick him out with the passes he thrives on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc0GF9boABI
Peader Gardiner
Never to be forgotten for his famous point in the 2009 Connacht final that beat Galway, the Crossmolina man was a wonderful talent that saw his career hampered by injury season after season.
A speedy half back as well as half forward with an eye for points and the odd goal, he was a crucial part of the Mayo sides that reached the All-Ireland finals in 2004 and 2006.
pic.twitter.com/Dd8eM3YhOZ – think this was @peadar_gardiner idea #itworked
— John Donnellan (@donnellan_john) May 14, 2015
At club level he was was outstanding for the former All-Ireland champions and was named the county’s club player of the year in 2006.
Noel Connelly
If he guides Mayo to Sam Maguire this year we may have to revise this but in terms of a player Connelly never got the credit deserved for being one of the outstanding footballers of the 1990s.
He played over 60 games for the county but his ultimate honour, and disappointment, was failing to lead Mayo up the Hogan stand in the 1996 or 1997 All-Ireland finals.
A versatile defender at wing back, his direct style as well as no-nonsense approach from the playing field has been brought to bear in his new role with Pat Holmes as joint manager of the senior side.
He may get a chance to exact revenge on Kerry in a final if he can guide Mayo past Dublin this Sunday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTXlWBXC2O8
