Stephen Rochford deserves a large part of the blame for Mayo’s latest All-Ireland heartache but many of his senior players have escaped any serious critique.
One can imagine Rochford silently seething as David Clarke’s kicking imploded in the closing stages of the drawn All-Ireland final. Within the space of a few minutes, the Mayo goalkeeper was knocking balls out of play, putting his defence under the hammer and striking Diarmuid Connolly’s back. Not the plan. Not at all.
Clarke had a decent first half – making two fine saves from Brian Fenton – but was fortunate to escape a card [yellow or black] for taking Dean Rock out after 30 minutes.
We may never know – post-match or in training after – how Clarke reacted to his show of jitters at a crucial juncture but Rochford felt it was imperative to start Rob Hennelly. He did not do it on a whim.
Hennelly’s meltdown was not Rochford’s fault but he should have recognised the confidence haemorrhaging from his goalkeeper as the half progressed and benched him at the break. The fact that he did not was his biggest mistake.
The poor kick-outs and Hennelly’s penalty concession, and resulting black card, were mainly reported as facts. Only Joe Brolly went so far as to say Hennelly and Rochford would be “haunted” by the selection gamble. It seemed harsh but it was entirely accurate.
@RTEsport should really draw a line on the Robbie Hennelly conversation. These guys are human at the end of the day. #zipit
— Tricia Gallagher (@tricia_irl) October 1, 2016
Hennelly has been absolved of much of the blame, in the media, but it was heartening for him to step forward and put his hand up.
The rest of the Mayo squad have dodged any serious criticism.
Diarmuid O’Connor allowed both the final and the replay to pass him by. Lee Keegan was duped into his black card by Diarmuid Connolly. Cillian O’Connor was 100% from frees until one well and truly counted at the end. Not a single Mayo player took responsibility for tracking and shutting down Cormac Costello.
As someone who regularly reports on rugby and soccer, I find suggestions that the media are too harsh on GAA players absurd. Brolly has been guilty of personalising his criticisms but, in general, most analysis and criticism is focused on a player’s role and what he did or did not do for his team. Speaking on Second Captains, former Armagh player Oisín McConville stated:
“The one thing I do hate hearing is the amateur thing. ‘Amateur player’, so what? It doesn’t really matter if he’s amateur or not.
“I understand that [you’re not professional and getting paid for it], but it is a choice. We do make a choice. We make a choice what sport we go for, we make a choice if we’re going to see it through. These guys have all seen it through.”
McConville would know a fair, fair share about being in the media spotlight. He tried not to take it personally.
Most articles pointing out player flaws or team shortcomings are met with responses about personal attacks and vendettas.
We hold these amateurs up for richly deserved praise and get thousands of likes and retweets. You analyse a player’s poor performance or unsporting behaviour and brace for the irate response.
These are the very best sportspeople in the country. We recognise that.
We don’t have vendettas; simply opinions.
It’s the biggest sporting event in Ireland. It deserves to be covered as the biggest sporting event in Ireland.
Let’s not pay lip service to these absolute heroes of men and women. Even heroes bleed.
The GAA Hour pays tribute to the unbeatable Dubs and ask where did it all go wrong for Mayo in the All-Ireland final replay. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
