“There’s an impression that Mayo are a match for Dublin but they’ve never beaten them since 2012” – Colm Parkinson.
Sheryl Crow had it right – a change could do you good.
The westerners have some of the best players in the country but they are just that 1% off All-Ireland glory. That percentage has been higher in other years but this crop has not been far away in the past five years.
Stephen Rochford took Mayo damn close in 2016 but they couldn’t get over the line against one of the greatest Dublin team you or your elders have ever seen.
They may have lost to Monaghan in their Allianz Leagues opener – and had Pat Spillane write them off – but they look to be building for another assault on Croke Park at the business end of the championship season.
On The GAA Hour Football Show, host Parkinson discussed Mayo’s chances ahead of their league clash against Dublin with SportsJOE’s Mikey Stafford and Armagh legend Stevie McDonnell.
This Saturday evening’s game, Parkinson noted, will be the 11th time Mayo and Dublin have faced off since the westerners’ 2012 All-Ireland semi final win. Since then, the record reads: Played 10, Drew 3, Lost 7.
McDonnell declared, “This is another opportunity to lay a firm marker down for the season ahead.” The lads also covered a couple of interesting tweaks Rochford has made within his squad. Parkinson said:
“When we look at the other new faces in the Mayo team, [All-Ireland U21 winner] Fergal Boland has played the first three league games at wing forward. Him playing wing forward had Diarmuid O’Connor in midfield. I like the looks of him there.
“Cillian O’Connor was playing centre forward the last three games. There’s a little bit of change going on with Mayo. We know Kevin McLoughlin has moved back into the forwards. We have Jason Gibbons back in the team… There’s a freshness to Mayo without bringing in too many faces.”
McDonnell believes O’Connor’s switch from left half forward to ‘the melting pot of midfield’ is a massive move by Rochford and one that should bring out the best of him. “He’s tailor-made for midfield,” Parkinson agreed.
O’Connor was named in the Mayo half forward line on Friday night but one would expect him to drop back for midfield duties in Croke Park this weekend.
So it may be but if O’Connor really wants to test his wits, he won’t find a better test than against the likes of Michael Darragh McAuley and this lad.
“I think he has everything. No-one in Ireland can touch him at the minute.” https://t.co/4GXqdf0Ags
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 3, 2017
Almost worth the admission fee alone.
