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Home , Andy Moran, Aughagower, Brian Fenton, Captain (Gaelic games), Colm Boyle, Conor Loftus

Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V ALL- FINAL PREVIEW 1 Illustration: Jen Murphy

Season’s greetings! Christmas comes early for Dublin and Mayo

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 1 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 2 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 3 One great team deserves another Take All Ireland Final Match-Ups

Chris Barrett Mike ger Edwin Seán Anne-Marie billy joe v Paddy Small Finnerty flanagan McGreal Rice flynn padden PREDICTING these pairings is not an exact science but given Small’s style and recent form then the All Star from seems the most obvious man to THE BIG MATCH ZONE with Mike Finnerty pick him up. Barrett is fiercely competitive and abrasive BETTING ODDS KEY NUMBER and has got touch-tight and disciplined defending off TO WIN to a fine art. Mayo 9/2 Small has hit five points (three from marks) in Dublin 2/9 Dublin’s last two games and is keeping Paul Draw 10/1 Mannion out of the team. So he needs watching. HANDICAP Mayo (+6) 10/11 0TIMES Mayo have scored more than one goal Dublin (-6) 11/10 against Dublin in a championship match. v Ciaran Kilkenny MAYO CAMP UPDATE DID YOU KNOW? TRYING to second-guess James Horan ASSUMING everyone is fit then Mayo are likely to DUBLIN and Mayo boss any time is something of a fool’s errand, be unchanged again from the win over Tipperary. James Horan crossed paths for the first time on a but we think he will go with the tried and If that is the case then James Horan will have football field at MacHale Park in a National trusted here to pick up the marauding picked the same starting XV for the fourth game League match 24 years ago. Kilkenny. in a row. Farrell played in the Dublin attack while James Dublin’s quarter-back hit the ground So the spotlight will turn to which 11 players will Horan was at full-forward for Mayo in a match running with five points from play against make the cut for the bench. that finished in a draw — 0-10 apiece. READY FOR ACTION One of Mayo’s biggest fans, Ann Baynes, is pictured with her husband, Padraig last Westmeath, and we know he likes to There were some notable absentees from the Little did either know what the future held on that weekend. Ann, who has been organising Mayo supporter buses to games since 1997, will watch Saturday’s drift back into his own defence to pick subs last Sunday week — Bryan Walsh, Fionn wintry day in November, 1996. All-Ireland SFC Final at home in Drummin, Westport. Pic: Conor McKeown up ball. McDonagh and Mark Moran all absent and So if Keegan tags him, then the believed to be injured. four-time All Star defender is going to This in turn opened the door for Fergal Boland KEY NUMBER spend some time on the front foot. and Paul Towey to get into the replacements for the first time in this championship. Mayo ready for Darren Coen and also both got their first championship minutes of 2020 at Croke Matthew Ruane Park the last day, while Padraig O’Hora came on v during the second half to make his championship debut. 14GAMES that Dublin has gone unbeaten in league latest title shot THIS looks fairly cut and dry unless Aidan However, veterans , Donie Vaughan and championship against Mayo. O’Shea is stationed in the middle of the field and Seamie O’Shea were all conspicuous by It’s just over eight years since the Green and Red on a full-time basis. their absence and are yet to feature in this managed to lower the Dub’s colours in a Fenton is the engine of this Dublin team, and campaign. competitive fixture — the 2012 All-Ireland Preview giving people a bit of joy from time goal. It’s little wonder then the his all-round game, scoring ability and sheer semi-final. to time.” bookmakers think the ‘Boys in power has always caused Mayo issues. Mike Finnerty ‘Bullish’ is probably stretching Blue’ will win their sixth succes- It’s a big challenge for Ruane to try and knock DUBLIN CAMP UPDATE it, but there was certainly enough sive All-Ireland by at least six the Raheny midfielder out of his stride, but this MUCH like Mayo the big focus will be on who TWITTER WATCH confidence in many of James points. is his time to shine. Diarmuid O’Connor is makes the Dublin sub’s bench. AST week’s online All- Horan’s responses last week to But for all of that, Mayo have another option here. In that regard all eyes will be on Colm Basquel, No expectation..No tickets, Ireland Final press brief- suggest that he thinks his team traditionally pushed the Dubs to the man with the strongest Mayo connections in no hype & no Hill..No pressure ing had almost ended have enough ‘threats’ to cause the pin of their collar in recent the Dublin panel, who came on in the closing @D9BMayo when James Horan was anyone problems. Even Dessie championship encounters — three stages of their semi-final win over Cavan. asked, arguably, the Farrell’s invincibles. one point defeats and two draws Aidan O’Shea A son of Noel Basquel (who is a native of Lmost important question of all “We’ll be looking to do the stuff confirm as much. v Davy Byrne Mountbrown, , just outside West- Nathan Murphy ahead of next Saturday evening’s that we’re strong at for longer in Although last year’s All-Ireland port), that was Colm’s first championship Hearing rumours that David Brady has organised All-Ireland with Dublin. ‘Why the game, it’s as simple as that,” semi-final got away from them in IT will be fascinating to see who Dessie Farrell appearance since the ‘Super 8s’ win over an early shipment of the vaccine for Mayo folk so could this year be different?’ he explained. “I think sometimes a ten-minute burst after half-time picks to try and curb the influence of Mayo’s in August of 2018. we’ll all be free to do whatever the hell we want Why is there any reason to think teams try to do something that with Con O’Callaghan and com- most physically imposing forward-cum-mid- However, the talented Ballyboden St Enda’s on Saturday week. that this will be the day when Mayo they haven’t done before, and that pany freewheeling to a 10 points fielder. forward could feature against Mayo on Saturday @nathanmurf finally take down the Dubs for the can sometimes backfire on you. victory in the end. Philly McMahon may end up doing the job at — knowing that his dad and and 13 aunts and first time since August 2012, halt “We’ve a very good idea of what But most of this Mayo team have some stage, but Byrne will probably get the first uncles in the Basquel family would normally be a run of 14 matches without a vic- we want to do, how we’re going gone toe-to-toe with Dublin before shot at it. cheering on the men wearing Green and Red. Kieran Cunningham tory over the five-in-a-row cham- to go about it, and we’d be very and, listening to James Horan last The full-back likes to go out the field so will roam Colm’s mother, Bernie Ryan from Tipperary, is a UP FOR THE MATCH Some third class pupils Even though they haven’t lost to Mayo since pions, and end the 69-year All- confident in the threat that can week, they clearly believe they can with O’Shea and try and reduce his influence. former All-Ireland ladies football winner with at NS are pictured with a cut-out of LAST SEVEN 2012, Dublin view them as a stone in their shoe. Ireland famine in the process? pose for whoever we play. do it again. Mayo’s needs a huge game. Dublin. former pupil, Mayo captain Aidan O’Shea. Left CHAMPIONSHIP They badly want to crush them in a final. “It’s a different team, a different “Keeping our foot to the floor “We’ve our style of playing foot- to right: Roisin Moran, Clancy O’Connor, Liam @KCsixtyseven set-up, a different environment, a when we’re going well is impor- ball and when we do it well, I think O’Brien (in his Dublin jersey) and Ashling CLASHES different world,” replied Horan. tant.” it’s a challenge for anyone,” he Loughane. Pic: Conor McKeown v THE REFEREE 2019: Dublin 3-14, Mayo 1-10 (All-Ireland “But I think where we are, where The official line is that Chris said. “We’ve a lot of threats, a lot Cillian O’Connor David Coldrick semi-final) John Fogarty the team is, we’re absolutely enjoy- Barrett and Eoghan McLaughlin of danger in our team and we try Meath 2017: Dublin 1-17, Mayo 1-16 (All-Ireland Final) Ciaran McDonald kicking ball here in the ing what we’re doing. There’s a picked up ‘knocks’ against Tipper- to utilise that. TRYING to figure out the Dublin manager here is tricky THE Blackhall Gaels official will take charge of his 2016: Dublin 1-15, Mayo 1-14 (All-Ireland Final warm-up here. Still playmaking. #GAA new freshness to us, we’re improv- ary but will be fine for Saturday’s “We’re in good shape physically, but we think Cooper might get the job of trying to tie fourth All-Ireland senior final after also refereeing FIXTURE ) @JohnFogartyIrl ing at a rate of knots, we hope to final. we’re an athletic team, there’s down the championship’s top scorer. the 2007 2010 and 2015 deciders. all-ireland sfc final 2016: Mayo 0-15, Dublin 2-9 (All-Ireland Final) improve again before we play And what of Dublin? power there, and when you get They are two fiercely competitive and combative This will also be his fourth game of this current 2015: Dublin 3-15, Mayo 1-14 (All-Ireland Dublin, and we’re just looking For the record, in the four matches that all into the mix, and get the characters, and both play the game with huge championship campaign. DUBLIN semi-final replay) Pat Nolan forward to the challenge. they’ve played so far — against ratios right, we’re a seriously strong intensity and intent. Tyrone’s Sean Hurson will be the standby referee. v Mayo 2015: Dublin 2-12, Mayo 1-15 (All-Ireland Mayo are the first team to score five goals in an “To be honest, we’re not worry- Westmeath, Laois, Meath and team. It’s a big day for O’Connor who comes into the final in The other linesman is Joe McQuillan from Cavan semi-final) All-Ireland semi-final since Cork did it to them in ing about consequences or out- Cavan — they’ve won them by an “We’ll be looking to display that flying form and with some wrongs to right against and the sideline official will be Longford’s Fergal Saturday, December 19 | Croke Park 2013: Dublin 2-12, Mayo 1-14 (All-Ireland Final) 1993. #GAA comes too much. We’re just enjoy- average of 17.75 points. again.” Dublin. If he catches fire, Mayo have a real chance. Kelly. Throw-in: 5pm @pat_nolan ing being able to play football and And they haven’t conceded a Let the games begin.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 2 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 3 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 4 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 5 Mayo masterplan to be fully tested So who picks up who? way? That’s probably what I would do. in from behind you or he’ll plough over Billy Joe Padden I’d like to see get to do the top of you like the steam train that what he has been doing for the last few he is. Talking games, which is a lot of good, unseen And if he starts galloping up the field Tactics MAYO’S defensive match-ups are one work. He drops into the half-back line, on those big, strong legs he’s going to of the most difficult things to decide fills in for corner-backs when they attack be hard to stop. upon, and James Horan will know better up the field, and basically act like a I have to be honest, I’d play Aidan Billy Joe Padden than anyone else what way he likes it. sweeper, filling gaps. O’Shea out around the middle for prac- I think you have to put a plan in place As a result he may not end up with a tically the whole game. I wouldn’t be for Ciarán Kilkenny and, considering man-marking job but will pick up Seán giving him a man-marking job, the focus MAGINE being in James Horan’s the history, I’d probably go with Lee Bugler or maybe Brian Howard if he for him has to be winning kick-outs and shoes this week. Keegan, who’s coming into a bit of starts. That leaves two exceptional ath- knocking them down in congested Getting ready to try and take down form. letes in Eoghan McLaughlin and Niall areas. a team that haven’t lost a champi- Chris Barrett has to pick up somebody Scully ending up on each other. The roles of Ruane and Loftus in that onship match for over six years. A who’s going to spend most of their time Then there’s Brian Fenton, who is such situation has to be about tracking run- Iteam that Mayo haven’t beaten in league in the full-forwardline, whether that’s a threat in an attacking sense that you ners like Fenton and McCarthy, especially or championship for more than eight or Paddy Small. Part of me have to put a plan in place for him. Can Ruane who’s got a good defensive mind- years. No pressure! thinks that I’d like to see Barrett take Mattie Ruane do that job? Or do you set. You’re talking about a three-man It’s important to say that there’s not a Small because he’s a very dangerous need a hybrid plan for Fenton where effort really that’s going to take a lot of lot Horan can change between the semi- forward and he uses his upper body Aidan O’Shea contests the high balls communication and team-work. final and final in terms of what his team strength a lot. Barrett is strong in that with him around the middle? Diarmuid O’Connor is going to have a does against Dublin. As a manager at regard too and very experienced. It might not even be possible to do it, role to play around there as well, but I’d that level, in terms of your principles, That leaves Oisin Mullin to mark Dean but I think you need to create some love to see Diarmuid getting involved your game-plan, and how you want to Rock and you have to decide what to do situations where you’re forcing Fenton in a scoring sense. Mayo are going to play, all you can really do is tweak them with Con O’Callaghan. Do you put Paddy to jump for the ball in traffic and in need more than just Cillian O’Connor in such a short period of time. Durcan on somebody like that and hope crowded areas. You can’t let him get a and Tommy Conroy getting scores on I have absolutely no doubt that James that he can hurt him going the other run on the ball or you can’t let him come Saturday. Horan would not have come back to manage Mayo again if he didn’t have an idea about how he could get the better of Dublin. There are a few main things he’s changed since he came back at the end of 2018. Firstly, Mayo’s athleticism, bringing in Oisin Mullin, Eoghan McLaughlin and Tommy Conroy. What are the key attributes they have? Physicality and the ability to run in wide open spaces of Croke Park are certainly two of them. You have to have that running power and ability to stay with Dublin. Another thing that’s going to be abso- lutely vital against Dublin will be the ability to retain and hold possession. The ability to hold on to the ball even if you’re not always an attacking threat. We’ve seen Tommy Conroy do that at times, which shows a lot of maturity for such a young player who was all about taking his man on at underage and club level. In the last few games I think he’s really picked his moments about when to take a man on and kept the ball well. TIGHT MARKING Lee Keegan and Ciarán Kilkenny are likely to be in close proximity again next weekend. Pic: Sportsfile Matthew Ruane and have been really good at retaining possession too, apart from maybe the first quarter against Tipperary when they tried to kick too much ball. to David Clarke at times, but it’s only team in half and you’re kicking the ball or can THE LAST DANCE very hard on that aspect of their game, Make no mistake, retaining possession fine if they’ve planned for it. If the ball most of the time to a half-back or a mid- do, that’s not an option. Clarke’s kick- Dublin manager Jim but they’re not the finished article yet. Midfielders must be mentally ready is absolutely paramount against Dub- goes all the way back to Clarke then the fielder who’s coming on to the ball with outs hang so it’s crucial to send it to an Gavin, shakes hands I can see Mayo playing a lot more lin. rest of the team have to drop deep and no momentum. area where you have three or four bod- with Mayo manager possession-based football because they James Horan after Because no team are able to hurt them you start the rebuild again. What David Clarke has proven himself ies and that you can defend it if you lose the 2013 All-Ireland cannot allow Dublin to play the game every time they have the ball; Dublin Then there’s the kick-outs, which have to be excellent with are his short kick- it. at their pace. Mayo have to try and dic- me over at times’ and ‘He might even It’s going to be hard to win the battle SFC Final at Croke Billy Joe Padden are so tactically aware and cynical when been a worry for Mayo and their sup- outs. Maybe that’s where Aidan O’Shea Park. tate those terms as much as possible and brush me aside the odd time’. But I’m physically, but if your mentality is like they need to be (they will foul you if James porters for quite a while now. Back in That’s something that Mayo are going comes into the equation; where there Pic: Sportsfile play at a steadier pace. That might not going to be super-resilient and I’m going that then you’ll start eventually start you’re on a quick counter-attack) so you 2016 changed the to have to continue to do well next week- are those real scraps for possession and always suits Mayo, but there are going to keep getting up, and he’s never going wearing down your opponent. And then have to be able to retain possession. Horan would goalkeeper for the All-Ireland Final end. he is the dominant figure on high ball. to be periods on Saturday when they EOPLE sometimes talk about to get rid of me. And I’m going to keep the physicality stakes become more It’s something Mayo did really well in not have replay against Dublin and it proved to They’re lucky in that Oisin Mullin, For me, the kick-out strategy has to be have to hold the ball. the physical battles and the getting up and I’m going to run even even. 2016 and 2017, and it really knocked be a mistake. It just didn’t work out. Chris Barrett and Lee Keegan are excep- as simple as that. I expect to see Mayo moving the ball mental battles of All-Ireland harder, and I’m going to run him all over The problem with playing Dublin is Dublin out of their rhythm. come back Both Rob Hennelly and David Clarke tional at carrying the ball out from the from side to side quite a lot, and that Finals. I think it can be dif- the field. I’m going to make him follow that, mentally, Fenton and McCarthy are Some people went away from those if he didn’t have their own strengths and weak- back. THE FINAL VERDICT will lead to more bodies being around ficult to differentiate me. And even though he might be phys- exceptional as well. But Ruane and Lof- games saying, ‘Dublin didn’t really play nesses. Now if Dublin decide to be brave and I DON’T expect Sunday’s final to be a the middle of the field, and more bodies betweenP the two, to be honest. ically stronger than me, I‘m going to tus can’t worry about that, they just have well in those finals’. Dublin didn’t play have an idea James Horan has been very clear put a ‘full court press’ on then that short shoot-out. helping out in a defensive sense. Take the midfielders that will probably throw my body into it with everything to worry about their own mental prepa- well because they didn’t have the com- throughout this championship that he kick-out might not be an option. In that Against Dublin you have to get a big So you will have less of those goal line out on Saturday: Matthew Ruane I have. And if I can’t win that kick-out ration. The one thing that, can control plete and utter dominance of possession about how has a clear number one, and I think that situation, I would rule the ‘intermediate’ score to beat them because they’re going chances that Tipperary had the last day and Conor Loftus against Brian Fenton cleanly, I’m going to make sure he doesn’t. is that they decide they’re going to give that they maybe had in other games. he could get was needed given all the talk about goal- kick-out option out completely unless to get a big score. But you can’t go out created as a result. and James McCarthy. In both cases the And when the ball hits the ground, I’m absolutely everything they have, physi- Cavan had a lot of ball in their own keepers in the past. it’s an absolute ‘slam dunk’ of kicking it in the early stages and encourage that Mayo are still going to concede a cou- Dubs have the edge in terms of experi- going to be the first one there. And if cally. half in the first quarter in the recent the better Having said that, even though Clarke to a team-mate in 40 yards of space. sort of a game because they’re better ple of goal chances, and they’re going ence and physically. So if you’re one of the ball ends up going 20 yards out the And that they’re going to deal well with semi-final, but they didn’t know whether is a phenomenal ‘keeper, and he showed Instead, I would be in favour of pick- than every other team at creating scor- to need David Clarke to make another the Mayo players, how do you prepare field, I’m going to be over there after the times when they get physically beaten to stick or twist. Mayo have to have a of Dublin that against Tipperary, I don’t like his ing your moments when you go long to ing chances and taking them. couple of saves. But I think any team mentally for that? it’. up. clear strategy in that regard. ‘intermediate’ kick-outs at all. contests. They’re a more efficient machine than coming in to play Dublin would expect You have to basically ‘steel your mind’ That’s a mentality. That’s about much If Mayo are going to win the game It’s fine if they have to go back 40 yards Because you’re almost breaking your Because David Clarke can’t do what every other team. Mayo are working that. and say, ‘Yeah, this guy is going to knock more than physicality. they’re going to have to be resilient.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 4 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 5 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 6 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 7

Dubs surfing the blue wave The stands may be silent but

Dublin the Dubs. On the big days, there has we know our communities are View hardly been a nose between them. And that’s what Dessie Farrell has been saying as soon as Mayo beat Tipp’. But standing tall behind us. the name on the opposition’s dressing room’s door won’t change Dublin’s preparation. OU won’t find the Dublin Like stepping into the cock- players doing a lap of honour pit, it didn’t matter if he was flying to around Copper Face Jacks. Or an All-Ireland final or a pitch opening going around town showing in early January. And that professional off their six-packs. approach won’t alter a jot. YAnd as for musings on the six-in-a-row, Humility is a central a part of Dublin’s they consider it a subject that’s strictly kit bag. To feel blessed to wear the jer- out of bounds. sey of the giants on your shoulder. For the Dublin players, it’s the next To think back to the training sessions ball that counts. The next training ses- at Alfie Byrne Road on Baltic winter sion. mornings when only the milkman was Striving to make the first 15. Or the up. match day squad. began that routine. The fro- They feel privileged to be a part of it zen fingers hardened the mindset. all. Part of these remarkable footballing But as Pat said himself the other week, years on Capital Hill. nothing lasts forever. Everything goes You can see it every time they run out in cycles – the great Kerry team of Mick to play. It was clear in the reaction of O’Dwyer, Cody’s Kilkenny and Barce- Cormac in the final lona. against Meath when the line-ball deci- Anything can happen in sport. A match sion went against him. Even though the can take on a life of its own. result had long been carved deep into And, in the big smoke, there’s no the turf. thoughts of lighting bonfires. Or dwell- These Dubs contest every crumb. They ing too much on the Great Debate - have to. Otherwise they fear they mightn’t finances, the population size or dividing be on the bus the next time. the . They take all the arguments High standards are expected. A given. with the humour of the terraces. As As Bernard Flynn once so wisely said: Ciaran Whelan quipped after Mayo’s “Jim Gavin doesn’t care what your name impressive win against Tipp: “Maybe is.” it’s time to split Mayo in four!” If you are not producing it in training There’s Dublin people who can well at DCU or on match day, there’s a queue remember the days when the Dublin the length of O’Connell Street to take footballers would be playing in Croke your place. Park and the city hardly even knew they Dessie has now taken over. But the were there. Dublin Train just keeps moving swiftly Alas, for some of the younger genera- along. You’d hardly know there was a tion, success is now a given. A case of change of driver. just turning up. As easy as taking a loaf There’s an All-Blacks atmosphere of of bread off the supermarket shelf. And excellence in the camp. Everyone putting as Johnny Giles always warns: “Eaten in the hard yards to reach the Q mark. bread is soon forgotten.” Following the philosophy of Jim Gavin: Those at the coalface know the work “Being the best that you can be.” that has gone into creating this wonder- There is a charming old black and RARE AULD TIMES Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after last year’s ful Dublin team. And the culture that Good Luck to Mayo In the All-Ireland white film called Rooney. It was about All-Ireland Final replay win over Kerry. Pic: Sportsfile surrounds them. a dustbin man that played for As Pat Gilroy noted, in sport the lights Dublin. can go out very quickly. Against Mayo, For Dublin training, Stephen Cluxton He’s the perfect captain. In life, so many And when the final whistle brought Dublin will be keeping their eye on the Senior Football Final. Be sure to check is first to arrive and last to leave. They words are wasted. People believe in what history, the Dublin fans were shaking ball rather than Sam. say one of his practice kick-out drills you do, not what you say. each other by the hand. Embracing. The On the banks of the Liffey, there’s so involves trying to land the ball in a Green The sight of Stephen Cluxton out on Hill dancing. much respect for Mayo. And the most out our ‘SuperValu Support From Bin. the training ground fine-tuning his art As the bus came to Fairview, there was common remark you’ll hear on Grafton As they said about Jonny Wilkinson, night after night is worth more than a a huge blue-clad crowd outside Gaffney’s Street this Christmas is: “I’d love Mayo he didn’t become the player he was by million team-talks to his Dublin col- pub, stretching deep out onto the path to win the All-Ireland. If they were play- on: watching Coronation Street. And if any leagues. and the roadway. ing anybody else except Dublin!” The Sofa Series’ of the Dubs ever made it to the set of He’s played against many first-class When the team bus appeared, the As James Horan well knows, it will Fair City, they’d be the last people to tell Mayo forwards. None better than Andy crowd erupted. The bus stopped. It had Dessie has take something special to beat the Dubs. you about their Oscars. Moran. It’s a pity Andy won’t be involved to. Joyous scenes. They have been so consistent. They play SuperValuIreland Cluxton would have been the first to in the big show. He had the same boot Sadly, it will be different this time. It now taken like a team that don’t chase headlines. praise David Clarke’s early save against laces at Tony Hanahoe. will be quiet enough on the Clonliffe It’s just about getting the job done. As Tipperary’s in the Andy could see the bus before it came Road to hear old ghosts whispering their over. But efficiently and as quietly as possible. All-Ireland semi-final. around the corner. prayers in the corridors of the college. the Dublin In Pat Gilroy’s language, it’s all about Clarke did everything right. He nar- Last year, the Dublin red and white And if a pin drops on the Jones’s Road, hard work, and lots of it. You might drive rowed the angle. He made himself big, Expressway Bus left Croke Park with it might set off a car alarm. Train just a Rolls Royce, but you still have to put and the goal small. Just like Clucko always the five-in-a-row champions. It was a But everyone will be watching. On petrol in the tank. does, turning himself into one of his charming September, Saturday evening. their couches. In their jerseys. From the keeps These Dublin lads relish putting on front rooms of Stoneybatter to Jack early role-models, Peter Schmeichel. Like a summer’s night. moving the overalls. And it’s that dedication to SUPPORT Like all the great goalkeepers, Stephen With hardly a breath. Perfect for foot- Charlton’s Ballina. duty that still sees Stephen Cluxton tak- is a bread and butter man. Preferring to ball. Dublin and Kerry. The replay. A The whole country admires Mayo. swiftly ing out the bins. Where You’re From steal through the game as quietly as night for the Dublin followers to tell They commend their resilience. Their along Gordon Banks. Until it’s time to start their grandchildren about. determination to keep getting back up delivering the ball into the hands of a One of those treasured “I was there off the canvas. Niall Scully reports on Dublin GAA for blue jersey in the next parish. moments.” And nobody knows that better than the Evening Herald.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 6 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 7 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 8 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 9

Playing a Meet Mayo’s backr m team

captain’s Mayo’s players are backed by an part experienced support team

Profiles Mike Finnerty

Manager James Horan

TWO years after telling the audience at a Mayo GAA fundraiser in Dublin that he ‘came back to win the All-Ireland’, the 49 year-old will get his chance next Saturday evening. This will be the third final that Horan has led Mayo into — with defeats to Donegal (2012) and Dublin (2013) long consigned to the realm of forgotten things at this stage. During his six seasons in total as Mayo manager, Horan’s championship record reads: played: 35, SEEING THE LIGHT Mayo captain Aidan won: 27, drawn: one, lost: seven. Of the defeats, O’Shea and Mayo manager James Horan two were in All-Ireland Finals and three were in are pictured on the pitch at Croke Park All-Ireland semi-finals. after the recent All-Ireland SFC semi-final He has assembled a loyal and wide-ranging win over Tipperary. Pic: Sportsfile WORKING TOGETHER Mayo manager James Horan is pictured with members of his ‘support team’ at the Mayo SFC quarter-final between Breaffy ‘support team’ around him over the last two and Westport at MacHale Park, in September. From left: Jack Murray (Senior Performance Analyst), Martin Lally (team selector), Tom seasons, although selector Martin Barrett did Higgins (goalkeeping coach) and Ciaran McDonald (selector). Pic: Sportsfile step away at the start of this year.

Selectors Goalkeeping coach season as manager in 2018. sions, to post-match analysis clips and data. James Burke Tom Higgins Noel Howley was also added to the backroom “No more than any of the players, the aim at “Tommy on the other side, he’s just kind of THE Howth-based teacher was brought on THE former Westport goalkeeper first came to team in a player welfare role last January. Interview the start of the year was to go on and win an All- your modern day corner forward. He can do board initially to train Mayo’s Dublin-based Horan’s attention when they worked together in Kitman Ireland title. That was, of course, at the back of everything, he’s got pace, he can kick off both players before the start of last season. However, 2018 with the West Mayo club. Ger Flanagan Liam Ludden my mind. feet, and he has that kind of real thing where, his role changed within a matter of months and Horan was their manager that season and Head of S&C THE Castlebar-based Ludden is the longest “But for me there are lots of guys across the once he gets you, he wants to go at you. He has he quickly became part of James Horan’s Higgins one of his selectors and goalkeeping Conor Finn serving member of the Mayo senior support group, young and old, who have taken a leader- an eye for goal and he’s a really good addition coaching team on the ground in Mayo. coach. THE 32-year old from has been team. He has been the squad’s kitman since the VER since Aidan O’Shea first donned ship role in the group and there are obviously a for us. The 33 year-old Ardnaree native is also Horan’s Just a few weeks after Horan was appointed as winning rave reviews this season and is given start of the 2006 season when he was brought the Mayo jersey in senior champion- couple of players you would associate with lead- “The two guys are doing a huge amount of work right-hand man and Mayo’s ‘runner’ on match Mayo manager he had drafted in Higgins to work most of the credit for having Mayo’s squad in on board by then-manager . ship football in New York back in the ership that aren’t playing as much as they would The aim at the for us up front, it’s not just in possession, but out days, delivering instructions to players from the with David Clarke, Rob Hennelly and company. such impressive physical condition. summer of 2009, everybody knew like – Tom (Parsons), Seamie (O’Shea), Chrissy start of the year of possession. Cillian’s tackling and Tommy’s sideline. Noticeably, injuries have been few and far that he would, more than likely, lead (Barrett), Colm Boyle who is battling to get into have been a feature for us — but it is a different Burke still plays club football in with the between over the recent championship run too. Nutritionist theE team out in Croke Park for an All-Ireland the squad and team. . “There is plenty of experi- was to go and win proposition against Dublin and we need to make likes of James McCarthy, John and Paddy Small, high Performance Finn is the owner of Axsom Sports Ltd, a Evan Regan Final at some stage. ence there.” a few adjustments around that too.” and Dean Rock, and he won a Dublin SFC medal Coach Claremorris-based gym. THE well-known Ballina Stephenites footballer Or to put it another way, that scenario was a Now 30 years-old, the three-time All Star knows an All-Ireland This season Mayo’s first line of defence has with them earlier this year. He has worked under a succession of Mayo was part of James Horan’s squad last year. lot more likely 11 years ago than the prospect of the end of his career is closer than the start. been their inside line of attack, and O’Shea admits Burke was also part of the Mayo squad in 2013 Martin McIntyre senior managers since 2014. However, Regan was not included in Horan’s the 2020 final being played in front of an empty Not that it bothers him. The possibility that that it’s an art of the game that he and another that lost the All-Ireland to the Dubs. THE man behind the SISM Clinic in Castlebar has 2020 panel and, instead, was invited to take up Croke Park! this may be his last All-Ireland Final hasn’t even veteran take very seriously. held a variety of different roles in various Mayo the role of the team’s performance nutritionist. It was in the summer of 2008 where O’Shea crossed his mind, he says. “Myself and Cillian would have prided ourselves Ciaran McDonald set-ups over the years because of his wide-rang- Head of Medical Qualified in the area of dietetics, and sport and announced himself and his talents to the country “I haven’t thought about it,” the Abbvie-Aller- on that [tackling] for a long time,” he explains. THE native needs very little introduc- ing qualifications and expertise. Dr Seán Moffatt exercise nutrition, he also worked with the Mayo during Mayo’s run to the All-Ireland Minor Final; gan employee said when asked if he was con- forward line again, forming an exciting partner- “I think the group enjoy that side of the game, it tion. However, James Horan placed McIntyre in a ‘per- THE Ballina-based GP is a qualified sports and ladies senior football squad this year. his physical strength, athleticism and eye for a scious that Saturday may be his last final. ship with Tommy Conroy from The Neale, who is part of the way we play. On match-days he can be seen in the thick of the formance’ role at the start of last year as he exercise medicine doctor and heads up Mayo’s score capturing many imaginations. “I have been lucky enough to get to play in could very easily emulate them over the next “But it is also the transition of your traditional warm-up, involved in passing drills and small- looked to streamline the relationship between the impressive medical team. He has been the Mayo The following May, in West 240th Street in the quite a few of them, and a lot of people would decade. full-forward line, maybe 20 years ago it wasn’t sided games. On the training ground he works management, coaching and medical teams, and senior team doctor for the last ten seasons. Liaison Officer Bronx, the Breaffy teenager started at full-forward have said this opportunity wouldn’t afford itself “I’m glad you included me in that, as I told Cil- their job whereas now you are absolutely involved mostly with Mayo’s forwards and has been the players, in an effort to ensure that everyone Mark Gallagher (Claremorris) and Brendan Butler Paul Cunnane and hit 1-3 in what described as again. lian and Tommy after the game it was 4-14 between in the defence and it is part of your job and you credited by everyone from Conor Loftus to Aidan was performing to their maximum. () are the team physios. THE outgoing County Board PRO has been the ‘an outstanding display’. “I kind of book-end one year after it, and I see us,” he laughed when reflecting on the Tipper- are as responsible for what happens at the other O’Shea for bringing a lot of insight and expertise Ger Cafferkey, who retired at the end of last year, ‘link-man’ between the Board and the senior An ocean of water has passed under the bridge ourselves having a chance every year to be hon- ary game and the return from the full-forward end of the field as you are for the scoring side of to the business of getting Mayo’s attack firing. has also been working with the squad in a team for the last two seasons. This position is since, but he’s back at full forward, having also est to get where we are with the quality of player line. “Look, the guys are going really well, they it . The stats recently speak for themselves. performance-related role this season. Senior Performance required in all inter-county squads under a GAA/ done the rounds of centre-forward and midfield in Mayo — the future is strong. complement each other really well. “It is something we discuss and talk about a Analyst GPA charter agreement. at various stages. “The likes of Cillian, myself, Leeroy, we’ll be “Cillian probably needed that [lockdown] break lot. Definitely it’s in the forefront of our mind as Martin Lally The captaincy was bestowed on him by James moving on shortly but you can see with the core just for his own body. People outside of our group much as scoring and we do take good pride in THE native has long been one of Operations Manager Jack Murray Horan this year and O’Shea admits that he thought group that is coming they are at it. They are would not understand the things he’s done to it.” James Horan’s most-trusted lieutenants, right Joe Doyle THE Castlebar native joined the Mayo set-up as Catering the opportunity may have been lost with the pretty strong characters in the dressing room try and get himself on the football pitch over the It would be the ultimate send-off for 2020, the back to their days on the club circuit together THE Wicklow native has become a familiar part of their video analysis team before the start Seán Julian team taking on a new look. and I think Mayo is in a good place. So there is last five or six years and continues to do to con- year of uncertainty and unpredictability, if Aidan with ‘The Tubber’. presence on the Mayo sideline over the last two of the 2016 season under then-manager Stephen THE genial Midfield man has been feeding Mayo “It was a big honour to be asked at the start of an opportunity every year, but you need to cap- tribute. O’Shea lifted the Sam Maguire in the Hogan On match-days his role is focussed on mainly on seasons and is never too far from James Horan’s Rochford. footballers now for quite a few years, and his the year,” he told reporters at Mayo’s virtual press italise on them when they come around.” “To see him being free and out there and able Stand with no-one there to see it. ‘stats analysis’ and relaying relevant information side. This year the 28 year-old (along with Evan distinctive vans are a regular feature around day last week. “I thought that time or opportu- Two years after O’Shea’s debut, Cillian O’Connor to express himself the way he would like and be When prompted he says he hasn’t thought about during the game to Horan via James Burke who Doyle, who has lived in Westport for more than Gannon from Ballinrobe and Cathal Noone from MacHale Park and beyond on match days. nity may have passed me by, especially with the came on to the scene and the pair quickly estab- able to train week in week out, you can see the writing a speech, preferring to freestyle it with wears an ear-piece. 20 years, is responsible for planning, logistics and Ardnaree) provides James Horan and the The players swear by Seán’s vegetables, meats, core of the group being that little bit younger. lished their long-term positions in the team. fruits of it on the football pitch. What a player with a ‘cúpla focal’ if the occasion demands. Based in Dublin, Lally has also been listed as a organisation. He held a similar role with the management team with everything from in-game salads and dishes, and they certainly haven’t But to be asked was huge. Now they’re working side by side in the full- he is and I’m just delighted for him We’re all hoping he’s good ‘off-the-cuff’. ‘selector’ in match programmes this year. Westport senior football team during Horan’s statistics, to drone-footage from training ses- done them any harm again this year.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 8 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 9 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 10 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 11

5 steps to All-Ireland heaven

We look at five key areas for Mayo to focus on in their ninth championship clash with Dublin in nine seasons

to the 2017 final when they won 82 percent of Analysis their own kick-outs while Dublin retained 76 percent of theirs. Edwin McGreal

2. Turnovers WHILE Mayo did struggle on winning posses- 1. Kick-outs sion from kick-outs against Tipp’, they made up THE All-Ireland semi-final was the first game for it by winning a power of turnovers. Of their all championship where Mayo won a lower per- final total of 5-20, 3-13 of that was sourced from centage of their kick-outs than their opponents turnovers won. did at the other end. It’s a trend in Mayo’s campaign. Indeed in their David Clarke found a Mayo man with 63 per- last three games, they’ve sourced 62 percent of cent of his kick-outs (15/24). However, Evan their scores from turnovers (3-33 out of 6-50). Comerford found a team-mate with 92 percent Some of those come from unforced errors, but of his (24/26). many come from pressure applied by Mayo It’s a huge gulf, and it’s a concern that in their without the ball, from the full-forward line back. first game in Croke Park, where we expected Indeed, Mayo have got a lot of joy from turno- HITTING THEIR GOALS Dublin’s Con O’Callaghan scores his side’s second the open spaces to suit Mayo’s short kick-out vers in the opposition’s half, a much more advan- goal past Mayo goalkeeper Rob Hennelly strategy, that they hit their lowest percentage tageous turnover than one in your own full-back during last year’s All-Ireland SFC semi- in this year’s championship. While Tipp’s num- line. final at Croke Park. Pic: Sportsfile bers were, by some distance, the highest a Mayo However, if Mayo fail to improve the kick-out opponent has managed to retain on their own numbers from the semi-final, they are going to kick-out in this campaign. need a superhuman effort to win the turnover Perhaps much was to do with the chaotic ball they will need to be in the game. nature of a second half where the game was While forcing Tipp’ into turnovers is one thing, Loftus or Stephen Coen covering back from In 2016 and 2017, Mayo got their match-ups could possibly be handed the job of being the An early red card, a couple of goals in the first There was a sense that Dublin’s game man- won: Mayo may have eased off and Tipp’ played Dublin is another. Mayo did it reasonably well time to time at a time in a play where they are damn near perfect against Dublin. paper to spoil Rock. half and the dynamic of the game changes con- agement, combined with much more energy with pride. in the 2016 and ‘17 finals but they were also able not involved in a press. STAT There’s a feeling they may not be quite at the Will Oisin Mullin be the man for O’Callaghan? siderably. off the bench, were defining factors. But it will be a big concern to James Horan to get a good return on kick-outs. This ‘plus one’ defender is a more common same peak from an individual defender point Or Keegan? Or will James Horan put Paddy The key battlegrounds you predict in advance Competition has been very keen for squad that when Mayo went long to a contest, Tipper- And for all our talk of Mayo winning turnovers approach to sweeping now than a full-time one, ATTACK of view three years later, and we will find out Durcan back there? may not turn out to be as important. places for Mayo this year. Does James Horan ary won seven out of eight kicks. At the other off Dublin, they cannot afford to cough up much but it requires great levels of game awareness. if that is true, one way or the other, on Satur- We see it going along the lines of Keegan for But it is hard to see past the above four, with have more ‘oomph’ off the bench than Stephen end, the Munster champions won 15/17 of their turnover ball to Dublin either. Again, that’s We saw several instances in the semi-final where day. Kilkenny, Mullin for O’Callaghan, Barrett for the addition of scoring efficiency being vital. Rochford had three years ago? own long kick-outs. easier said than done. a Mayo ‘plus one’ player got back but far later 92% For all of Dublin’s undoubted depth, it’s clear Rock. Based on Dublin’s four most recent All-Ireland The availability of some/all of the injured Those metrics are incredible for a game that than he could have, given how that particular TIPP’ kick-outs that they that four men are in need of particular scrutiny Fenton could be the toughest ask and there final wins, Mayo need to kick in the region of trio for the semi-final — Bryan Walsh, Mark Mayo won by 13 points. Tipperary attack was developing. retained in the semi-final. for match-ups on Saturday. are any amount of possibles, but we think the 20 points to be in the mix to win this game. Moran and Fionn McDonagh — will be crucial The champions will need to make 3. Defensive set-up Adapting to the situation of each and every Brian Fenton may well be the best midfielder job will fall to Mattie Ruane who has many of To do so, they’d need in the region of 30 shots in this regard. Darren Coen was the pick of such long kick-outs as close to 50/50 as possible. IF Mayo are to continue to rely on turnovers attack will require an intense concentration and we will ever see while Ciarán Kilkenny and Con the athletic qualities required but will also need with a 67% shot conversion rate. Mayo’s subs in the semi-final with two superb What will they be working on in the run-up to for possession and scores, they are likely to flawless decision-making in getting there and 3-33 O’Callaghan are coming right to their peak now intense focus and concentration. In 2017, Mayo had 29 shots, scoring 1-16, a points. the final to maximise their chances of retaining persist with a man-on-man approach. then taking up good positions. TOTAL of Mayo’s scores and O’Callaghan, given his age of 24, may have At the other end, will likely shot conversion rate of 59 percent. To show It will be also fascinating to see what plans, their own kick-out? It is an integral part of their If Mayo employed a full-time sweeper, they Even at that, it will not always be possible to they have sourced from even higher to go yet. pitch up on Cillian O’Connor; Eoin Murchan the fine margins, Dublin had two less shots but if any, James Horan has for experienced cam- game-plan. could virtually say goodbye to any hope of provide the cover in time. turnovers in four games. Then there’s Dean Rock, whose ability to will pair off with Tommy Conroy for a battle of scored 1-17, a shot conversion of 67 percent. paigners like , Tom Parsons, They will try to get as many short kick-outs turnover ball and we’ve seen how important threaten and score from play has been often the speedsters while Davy Byrne or Philly As Mayo have learned the hard way, it is one Seamie O’Shea, Colm Boyle and Donal off as is possible but ‘intermediate’ kick-outs ( that is to them. under-rated. Mayo discovered that in the 2016 McMahon will likely pick up Aidan O’Shea. thing to push Dublin all the way, it is another Vaughan. chips or dinks to around the ‘45), carry a huge Dublin are just too good in possession to not 4. Defensive match-ups 0-20 and 2017 finals when he scored 0-7 from play in thing to actually get over the line in a tight Because if the game is there for Mayo at the risk against Dublin. make an extra man count in such a situation THE likelihood that Mayo will push up to force WHAT Mayo will need to those three games and he has mined 1-5 from game against them. second water break, judicious use of subs could It is a huge battleground. (the same goes for any red or black card Mayo turnovers and potential delays in getting the score to win on Saturday, play in his last two games this year. 5 Scoring efficiency There may have been a total of just two points be defining. But first they have to put them- They will also hope to get some return off might pick up, that would be a fatal blow). ‘plus one’ in place means there will be plenty based on Dublin’s last four So who have Mayo in mind? Lee Keegan defi- and the bench between the teams in the three finals in ‘16 and selves in that position in the first three quarters Dublin’s kick-outs. Easier said than done but James Horan may look to get players like of times when Mayo defenders will be one-on- All-Ireland final victories. nitely fared better on Ciarán Kilkenny in 2017 ’17, but Mayo never fell the right side of of the game. Mayo would be delighted with numbers similar Diarmuid O’Connor, Kevin McLoughlin, Conor one with their direct opponents. than Con O’Callaghan last year. Chris Barrett GAMES can always take on a life of their own. things. That will take a huge effort.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 10 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 11 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 12 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 13

The story of our lives

PAINFUL MEMORIES Meath's Tommy Dowd celebrates scoring a goal against Mayo in the 1996 All-Ireland Final replay at Croke Park. Spot the famous white plastic bag on the ground? Pic: Sportsfile

Reflections tined for the Canal End, when the only “end” I and, as he hit the hallowed turf, felled by the In 2012, it was not love but duty that deprived was ever going to be on was that of my cousin’s invisible sniper, I gave up. My other brother Mark me. I listened to the game on a wireless alone in Colin Sheridan couch. The trip was beset by punctures and car was seated beside me and, a little embarrassed my room (could we call it a bunker?) in the mid- sickness. Eight of us in a Ford Granada. The Rus- by my public display of anguish, he gently urged dle east, as the drought got a whole lot drier. I sian withdrawal from Afghanistan went smoother. me to cop on, that all was not lost. He obviously spent the entire week before contemplating what With a start he was awoken I was still a little confused as to my whereabouts reported my emotional capitulation to my par- it would be like to not be there when it finally From a middle of a dream, by the time Anthony Finnerty bagged his onion, ents, as I was shipped off to the army within happened? Perhaps the players would dedicate He’s making movies in his head and the Canal End - where I was supposed to be weeks. the victory to me? That never will be see, - erupted. You could argue the seven years between finals Another phone bill for the ages. The day after He’s holding oscars in his hands That Mayo lost to Cork seemed to matter little provided welcome respite, but for the unmerci- the final I found myself at the Wailing Wall in And kissing beauty queens to my nine-year-old self. I recovered from the ful pain Galway heaped upon us clocking up a the old town of Jerusalem. As I sat and watched What might have been deception and the loss. The homecoming was couple without breaking sweat, mocking our the pilgrims do their thing, I figured if there was - Whipping Boy, When We Were Young more fun to witness anyway. “tortured soul” self-view. anyone who should be wailing, it was me. What If the novelty of 1989 was defined by my inno- had they to wail about? cence, 1996 was marked by what a sceptic I’d Dream sequences Try being from Mayo. PLASTIC bag swirling in the wind. already become. Successive losses to Cork in HE 2004 final is like a blur; I recall The finals of 2013, ‘16 and ‘17 all morph into A torn hamstring. A lost ticket. A minor and Under-21 finals – punctuated by meeting family friend, Fr. Michael Kubrickian dream-like sequences, bookended desert holiday. the emotional hangover of the 1992 Donegal McGreal from Westport on the way by tragic texts from friends that read more like A moment of clarity at the Wailing debacle — had ensured the innocent boy had into the ground, and as he casually Tom Waits lyrics than rational game analysis. Wall. Nobody’s asking for it, but I matured into a cynical young man by the age of lectured me on Durkheim, the division I can recall moments from each, but can rarely realiseA my life story could be told as “Losing All- 15. Tof labor, and anomie, I got distracted and dumped differentiate one game from another, save for I Ireland Finals; a play in three parts.” Nothing shocked me; not the targeting of Liam my ticket in a bin outside Croke Park with a load sat beside my father for one of them. Nine acts that have tracked me from childhood McHale, not the dubious refereeing. of Domino pizza fliers I’d been handed. As signs He played an All-Ireland minor final for Mayo to parenthood. The tenth instalment coming this Sceptic or not, that loss was like a knife to the go, it was a rather emphatic one, delivered by an against Dublin in 1958, as a 16 year old. He won Saturday, just as the first did; with me absent heart. I’ve often thought I imagined the white esteemed Jesuit cleric. The fool I am, I returned Hogan Cups in Croke Park and a senior cham- from the action, surrounded by children, sitting plastic bag dancing in the wind as Tommy Dowd to said bin and emptied its contents onto the pionship for Mayo as a teenager. on a couch. sunk the dagger under . Sam Mendes - the street, receiving very christian encouragement How profound it would’ve been to be beside For many of the current Mayo squad, 1989 is director of American Beauty - was obviously from punters as they passed. By the time I took him when we finally won it? Alas, the auld tri- not a year but a Taylor Swift album. seated in the Nally Stand and was inspired by my place on Hill 16, the dream was all but dead angle went jingle jangle, again. Dublin paying no Only David Clarke may recall the Mayo team the traumatic poetry of the moment. That bag again. heed to the movie playing in my head. climbing the steps of their chartered flight from has remained in my subconscious, like some In 2006, I chose a holiday in Dubai over attend- Each of us has our story, each story no more Knock to Dublin, waving back at us like astro- irremovable dirt beneath a fingernail, for 24 ing the final. I’d need a ten-part Netflix series to important than the next. None of us foresaw nauts boarding a shuttle for the moon. TJ, Jimmy years. fully explain the forensics of that turn of events, watching from home this Saturday as Mayo once Browne and Willie Joe; theirs was a voyage into If I emerged from 1996 world weary and stub- only to say it was a decision not taken lightly (or, more go over the top. Not having a choice on the the unknown; victory an idea, not a realistic pos- born, 1997 was more of a midlife crisis. quite frankly, by me). It could be argued that of matter will assuage any guilt we may feel for sibility. Whatever turbulence the team may have With stoicism came expectation. Reaching the all the finals to miss, it was perhaps the best/ being absent. experienced on their short flight, it was nothing ‘97 final was almost a given. Kerry held no fear. worst. It might just be that the one time we absolutely like what befall the Sheridan family as we traveled Even so, I thought I was ready to take whatever I compounded my guilt by calling home that can not be there, is the one time we wish we to Dublin via Castleblayney, where, unbeknownst cruelty the Gods had ready, but, truthfully, I was night from the desert, a little emotional, incur- were. Whatever happens, another act in an epic to me, I was to be left. reduced to tears by half-time. My brother Mau- ring a phone bill that would have bought me an story is set to be written. There I was, nine years old, thinking I was des- rice tore his hamstring minutes before the break, apartment in Bulgaria at the time. Let’s hope it has a happy ending.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 12 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 13 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 14 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 15 Handovers and special moments

Daniel Carey

UCCESSFUL managers leave few stones James Horan: From The Archives unturned. Players in Alf Ramsey’s World Cup-winning squad in S1966 were given lessons in how to cut their toenails, for fear that a poor clipping technique would lead to a septic toe. That story appears in Niall Edworthy’s his- tory of England football manag- ers, entitled The Second Most Important Job in the Country. James Horan can do details – our discussion ahead of the 2017 All-Ireland final included a recol- lection of the time players spent practising ‘hand-passing with the non-dominant hand’. But ulti- mately, he said later in that dis- cussion: “What you are trying to achieve is that the players take ownership of it completely. Like in any industry or any business where there’s complete engage- ment and ownership, it’ll self- propel and drive itself on.” Two and a half years earlier, in February 2015, Horan did a pub- lic interview with Timmy McCa- rthy, whose epic Olympic basket- ON HOME GROUND James club to inter-county management remember.” ball commentaries have become Horan is pictured in the Mayo he made in late 2010, Horan told Speaking to McCarthy – a Cork- the stuff of legend. It was con- dressing-room in 2011. Pic: McCarthy that ‘in football terms’, man – Horan acknowledged that ducted in Martin McIntyre’s Sportsfile there wasn’t ‘a huge difference’. the 2011 quarter-final victory over Sports Injuries and Sports Med- He identified three things that the Rebels had been ‘huge’ for icine Clinic in Castlebar. A few made county level ‘more complex’ ‘the evolution of the team’. weeks earlier, Horan had collected and ‘completely different in a It began a run of three succes- the Mayo Person of the Year pressurised game’: media, County sive years in which Mayo elimi- award. A few months earlier, he only one brief mention in the Board, and supporters, of whom nated the All-Ireland champions had stepped down as Mayo man- interview. he said with a laugh: “You’ve 10, – Dublin in 2012, and Donegal in ager following defeat to Kerry in That was when Horan, asked 20,000 coaches out there that 2013. . about staying calm on the side- want to help you in what you Given that Mayo haven’t beaten In some ways it seems longer line, recalled looking up at the do!” the Dubs since, his words about than five years ago, and not just big screen in Croke Park during Asked to identify his best that surprise win over Cork (when because a large crowd were shar- a league match early in his reign, moment in management, Horan they were 5-1 outsiders) bears ing an indoor space without a when Dublin led by 4-4 to 0-2. said: “I’ve had a lot of those. I repeating: “That was a very, very OUT OF THE SHADOWS mask in sight. These days, all Captain ran over, suppose the 15 minutes, maybe, strong Cork team … I think in the Mayo manager James Horan is football talk begins and ends with asking: “Jesus Christ, James, after each game that you win, second half of that game … the pictured at Croke Park. Pic: Sportsfile Dublin. But in the early days of what’ll we do!” By his own tell- where it’s just the team and the team … just said: ‘This is gonna 2015, the Dubs were – like Mayo ing, the manager’s advice was management team, and you come be different; this is our day’.” – smarting over a semi-final defeat simple: “Just keep playing!” into the dressing room … they’re Sometimes long shots come the previous summer. They got Reflecting on the move from really special moments that you good.

word inadvertently ramping up the pressure. team of between 18 and 20 people. Checking in A 2017 interview with the Mayo manager With this in mind, we’ve been re-reading an with County Board officers and club managers. interview we conducted with James Horan ten Considering tactics, and video analysis, and gave some insight into the role days before the 2017 All-Ireland final. At that tweaking a million little things. stage, you won’t need reminding, he was not “So your mind is racing all the time,” said Horan, James Horan on … managing Mayo, and so was arguably less con- who is now preparing for his third All-Ireland strained in what he could say than he is now. Our final as a Mayo manager. Feature Out Of Our Skins. It was one of the first Irish favourite part of a wide-ranging interview was “But it gets awful simple the week of a game. The early days change, and how we could get better; ‘Is against a team away from home up in Derry GAA autobiographies to be published while its when he addressed the impossibility of a man- ‘This is what we’re doing. Is everyone clear? Does there a plan for us to get better? Then we’ll or something. That had to be solved … Daniel Your mind is of his reign author was still playing, and it remains among ager finding headspace in the build-up to an All- everyone know their role? We’re gonna enjoy it. do it’ … You heard us talk a lot about core “Some of the team I played with probably Carey the few Irish sporting memoirs not to involve a Ireland final. racing all the time And by hell, we’re gonna give it everything!’ “WHEN I took over, things were rocky fundamentals. [It’s] what a team needs, and wouldn’t like it, but if the [2017] Mayo team ghostwriter. Reading an updated edition released Sitting in the foyer of the Breaffy House Hotel “As a manager, [even when] the ball is being enough with how 2010 finished ... There was what a successful or high-performance team [were] playing the Mayo team of the late ’90s, in 2010, John Gunnigan of the Mayo GAA Blog – where we were joined by Mayo Academy coach thrown in, you’re still unsure if everything’s right. players going in different directions and it is built on.” they’d hammer them out the gate … IAM Hayes worked for the Sunday suggested that this ‘searingly honest’ work had and Breaffy clubman Seán Deane and Crossmo- Was the warm-up right? You’re constant[ly think- was fairly fractious … But very quickly, you - Speaking in September 2017 Their movement, skill levels, conditioning, Press when he won his first All-Ireland been ‘a significant driver’ in the development of lina physiotherapist Liam Moffatt (now County not there. ing], because there’s so many variables all the knew that ‘There’s a serious bunch of guys understanding, skill execution, … the return senior football title in 1987. Reflecting a new style of writing about . Board chairman) – we wondered aloud if, as a “Because your head is constantly thinking of time that can change. You’re still wondering. And here’ … Trevor Mortimer was there at the rate from play [is] way, way higher, in every on the Meath midfielder’s dual role, GAA fans (and newspaper readers) may long manager approaching an All-Ireland final, there something else. Even though there’s someone you always will be as a manager, because you’re time, he was a real strong leader. You’d The game’s aspect of the game … absolutely off the Con Houlihan wrote in the Evening for a peek behind the curtain, but such insight was ever a moment in your day when you’re not talking to you about flowers or something! When trying to get everything right or improve it or Aidan O’Shea just breaking through and how evolution charts, I think, the difference … The top … Press:L “A warrior who was literally in the middle doesn’t generally come from players or manag- thinking about the match. you’re involved … with a team at the level Mayo tweak it all the time. strong a character he was. So you’d all those teams in the country are playing football at a of the combat works as a sports journalist and ers who are still active at inter-county level. This, It seems not. are at, you’re always on. Always.” “We need to play as well as we can possibly guys … Colm Boyle … Ger Caff’, Seamie “BEFORE, I think, in Mayo football, there was level never played at before. It’s faster. The was briefed to write about it,” before asking: those same supporters acknowledge, is absolutely “I remember said it well,” He proceeded to list some of the many balls in play on Sunday at 3.30. And the razzmatazz of O’Shea, Andy Moran, playing always booms and busts … when I was play- skills are being executed at a quicker tempo, “Could Davy Crockett have analysed the battle reasonable: they want James Horan to master- Horan recalled with a smile, reflecting on his the air – some of which may now be complicated the All-Ireland final takes its own course around well. You’d an awful lot of strong people ing or watching football, [there’d be a] great which is more difficult to do … It’s getting so of The Alamo?” mind an All-Ireland title next Sunday, and while former Kerry counterpart. “Even if you’re out by Covid-19, just as others are removed as con- that. So you don’t need to be emphasising it … [and] they were mad to learn, mad to see win by Mayo, someone would score a load of much better all the time.” Hayes did indeed write about the experience, they devour every word he says, the last thing for dinner with your wife, or whatever it is you’re siderations due to the pandemic. Dealing with Just playing as well as we can in the game is what was good and what was working, what points and it’d be a great victory against both for his newspaper and, later, in a book called they want this week from the manager is a stray doing, he said: even when you’re there, you’re up to 40 players. Tick-tacking with a back-room what’s key.” could we do different, what could we some team, and then, boom! [We’d lost] - Speaking in September 2017

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 14 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 15 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 16 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 17

consistent and he delivers time after time for Ballintubber or for Mayo, on the big occasions. “He was the highest scoring forward in championship football by the age of 27. He’s still only 28 and he’s stretching out ahead of that. Body permitting, he Mayo’s will reach a target that isn’t going to be matched for a long time.” Cillian always In form THERE is absolutely no doubt that does his stuff, O’Connor, a former teacher turned recruit- ment company director, has been playing time after time especially well since the season restarted after time. He is eight weeks ago. golden He has struck an astonishing 68 percent underestimated of Mayo’s championship tally (5-31 out because of that of 6-50) and Tom Prendergast has noticed a significant change. “I do think at the moment he looks sharper. There’s a lightness about him. I don’t mean physically. He looks happy in himself, to an extent. miler championship goals but there’s still ambi- “Over the last couple of years he has guity about Cillian O’Connor’s standing had injury issues. I’m not that close to in the pantheon of greats. the scene to know how much of an impact He has only one All Star to his name they’ve had on him. – although that’s surely set to double in “Definitely this year, through the club the coming weeks – and despite consist- campaign he didn’t look nearly as sharp Cillian O’Connor’s success on ently averaging big scores in big games, as he does now. Timing, he just seems isn’t always held up as one of the top to be coming into it. Physically things the football field is a project forwards in the game. seem to be right. Tom Prendergast begins by saying Mayo “Whether injury has impacted on him of nature and nurture people can be sensitive about such things that much, I don’t know, his perform- and that O’Connor is rated very highly ances have still been very good. Every by opponents and ‘people whose opinion time Cillian goes out, he’s one of the guys you’d value’. who is going to be earmarked every day, Profile The fields around Cranmore did not But he also draws an interesting com- be it club or inter county. just cultivate the O’Connors as football- parison with the current Dublin team in “No doubt Dublin will be looking the Edwin McGreal ers. how ruthless and clinical both are. next day as to how to curtail and curb Known locally as ‘The Golden Mile’, “It is very much a ‘process’ with Cillian, Cillian’s influence. At the moment he is the area threw up a wealth of stars from it is all so efficient. Dublin have that to definitely playing with a lot of confidence HE goalposts that Tony and the Prendergasts to the Feeneys, the an extent as well. They get credit but and he looks very sharp. Mary O’Connor put up in the Geraghtys to the Lallys and the O’Connors, there’s very much a begrudging element “He’s certainly playing as well now as field beside their house in Cor- a hotbed of talent for Ballintubber and towards them. They’ve been turned into anyone has seen him and his totals will toon, Ballintubber might just Mayo. this monster which they aren’t. They’re underline that. be the best investment ever Tom Prendergast’s uncle Paddy, full- just human beings and they’re fallible, “I think the influx of new guys has madeT in Mayo football. back on the 1950 and ‘51 teams, is the no more than Cillian as well, for all his added to that as well,” he continued. Tom Prendergast, a selector in James most illustrious of the footballers from greatness. “In the full-forward line, Tommy Con- Horan’s first term in charge of the coun- the area, but his young neighbours are “The other thing about Cillian, and roy being in there and Aido [O’Shea] ty’s senior team, grew up just around the running him close. another reason why he maybe being beside him as well, it is working corner. Both have captained Mayo; Diarmuid doesn’t get the love that he quite well. Cillian seems to be feeding Tom had left home by the time Tony has All-Ireland Minor and Under-21 med- might deserve, is there’s a off that and is getting an energy off that. and Mary’s four boys were growing up. als in the bag; while Cillian is out of sight real edge to him and how It augurs well for Saturday week and But returning west at weekends, he knew as the championship’s all-time top he plays. He gets his what we can do. There’s a lovely balance he was nearly home when he would see scorer. space. to inside and a variety of threats. There’s the O’Connor boys out in the field kick- His 4-9 against Tipperary came from “Within the laws of the the unpredictability Tommy brings and ing ball. 14 shots, incredible efficiency. His only county level to some extent forces guys CHASING HIS Ciarán Sheehan, who was on the Cork the early frees. A gale blowing. It was game, he’s not afraid to use there’s what Aido brings in terms of his “You think of Cillian and Diarmuid and ‘miss’ was his ‘45 which dropped short FACTFILE to adapt.” DREAMS team which lost to Mayo in the 2011 All- an awful call but the person in the sta- his body. He has a lovely edge skillset and his danger at full-forward. Ruaidhrí and Padraic, that whole nature and Diarmuid ghosted in at the back post Then Mayo Ireland quarter-final, made an interesting dium least bothered by it was Cillian. to him. “And then Cillian brings what he brings. captain Cillian and nurture thing. It was the perfect to palm home. Name: Cillian O’Connor Mature teenager O’Connor runs observation. Watching him starting off, It was his first year out of minor, “He approaches It has a good look about it.” environment for footballers. You had One crafted in the field at home, per- Age: 28 TOM Prendergast first worked with Cil- on to Croke Park Sheehan thought O’Connor was a player his first Connacht senior final, things logically, And when Cillian O’Connor is moving four brothers who all love football and haps. Club: Ballintubber lian O’Connor in 2010 when he was a before the 2017 his defensive colleagues would easily a pig of a day, we weren’t play- works hard well, so are Mayo. were very competitive and a big field at There’s no doubt that Cillian O’Connor Occupation: Business Developer, selector with James Horan as Ballintub- All-Ireland SFC cope with. They never did, he admit- ing particularly well, and he and prepares the side of the house with goals up in it. has carefully honed his game over the Spot Recruitment ber won their first ever Mayo senior club Final. ted. got us over the line that day hard and “The 10,000 hours of practice and all that years, working like a demon with his Championship debut: 2011 championship title. O’Connor, still only Pic: Sportsfile Observing those comments, Tom Pren- with his frees. does it. You stuff, there was definitely that element considerable natural talents to make Championship scores: 30-328 a minor, was a key man in that break- dergast recalls O’Connor’s maiden sen- “And it was just what he know that Cillian to it,” Prendergast told The Mayo News himself an at times devastating forward, Did you know? Cillian was voted through. ior year. continued to bring from thing O’Connor’s this week. as Tipperary discovered last week. the top club player in Mayo in our Prendergast was involved with James “Any Cork guy going out to mark him there on. I guess it showed about the championship “It was the ideal environment to pro- “He isn’t blessed with lightning pace ‘Top 100 Mayo club footballer’ Horan in Mayo in the years that followed would find out very quickly that Cillian his character and that steel mailman, duce quality footballers, and so it has and God help everyone if he was,” says rankings back in May of this year. and O’Connor came in, straight out of O’Connor wasn’t a young, meek corner- he has, that he just does he always 2020 stats proved.” Tom Prendergast, himself a former Ball- minor to make his championship debut forward coming out to him. He came on the stuff time after time.” delivers. All four O’Connor brothers would play intubber footballer. in 2011. the scene as a fully-formed, hard-edged Cillian Total scored: 5-31 Minor and Under-21 football for Mayo “Sometimes you find that if you don’t “His maturity and self assurance shone 18-year-old and he’s always had that Underestimated always Total scores from play: 5-10 while Cillian and Diarmuid have starred have that lightning pace and you’ve grown worked at that. He’s very clever, his foot- through. He was a senior player in the nerveless efficiency.” HE’S the all-time champion- does his Points from play: 0-10 at senior level. up without it, to become effective and work is really, really good, the positions group from a very early stage and a leader Mayo were struggling for a reliable ship top scorer and has also stuff, time Conversion rate: 67% (10/15) Ballintubber’s five county senior titles to become a top player, you’ve to develop he takes up, the angle he takes the ball in the group from a very early stage. A free-taker in their wins over London passed ’s record of after time Points from frees: 0-19 in the last decade owe much to those ways to deal with that. Andy (Moran) at. That all comes with reflection and very self-reliant, self-possessed kinda (after extra time) and against Galway. So after time. He is Conversion rate: 95% (19/20) goalposts too. Incidentally, those goals was reasonably quick but he wasn’t light- practice and dedication to improvement character. Always had been. Very ambi- O’Connor was given the job for the Con- underestimated Scores from 45s: 0-2 BACK TO HIS BEST not there anymore, retired after a hard ning either and he could win ball for fun on an ongoing basis. tious and driven to do well for himself nacht Final against Roscommon on a Cillian O’Connor gets r because of that. Conversion rate: 29% (2/7) life’s work. The field is used for grazing off anyone. “Technically he is very, very good too. and for the team,” recalls Prendergast. dirty day in the Hyde. eady to take a free for “Cillian’s numbers Goals (all from play): 5 cattle now but it has more than paid its “Cillian’s movement is very good. He’s He is an extremely skilful, technical player Speaking on the GAA “He got blown up for taking too long Ballintubber during the 2017 speak for themselves. Conversion rate: 71% (5/7) way too. very strong and he’s developed that and and that lack of blinding pace at inter Podcast last week, current Cork footballer by (referee) Michael Collins for one of Mayo SFC Final. Pic: Sportsfile His excellence is so

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 16 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 17 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 18 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 19 The best and worst of times Time to

Reflections make more Seán Rice

O here we are in a kind of mythical memories world, writing about an All-Ireland final a week before Christmas. In gen- erations to come fables will be forged on the anvil of this surreal season A Fan’s View pods, little else is being thought line grateful this year - purely which has pitted Mayo against Dublin in the All- about or talked about this week. on a personal, selfish level - for S Anne-Marie Ireland final. No matter how pragmatic we the respite from travel. From a Flynn This unlikely pairing at this unlikely date in aspire to be, we just can’t help financial point of view, it’s been the depths of winter of 2020 has all of us agog. but dream. rather a revelation. It was also FUN AND GAMES Long-time friends Eileen Grimes from Celbridge, Co Kildare, originally from Westport, Who in the 8,000 attendance at that league match This year has given most of us good to have a long break from and Mary Fogarty, from Tallaght, Co Dublin, are pictured before the 2016 All-Ireland Final. Pic: Sportsfile between Mayo and Kerry last February would CAN you actually believe we an opportunity to reflect on our the emotional intensity that have guessed it? are playing in an All-Ireland own journey as Mayo GAA sup- comes with following Mayo, and The Eskimos. The gang that lost our minds watching games end she’ll be working the night Not even Old Moore for all his prophetic out- final, the week before Christmas? porters. For years, the narrative I wonder whether it the players together travelled the byroads in our living rooms. Over the shift in St Vincent’s Hospital, pourings managed to warn us of the pandemic Every so often, it hits me just from outside the county has are glad too, to be relieved of and back roads of Ireland, walked years we have made priceless where just last week she found that was about to change our cosy expectations how bonkers it all is, and oddly, focused, pityingly or scornfully that fraught, tense atmosphere the glamorous avenues of New memories all the way from herself caring for an elderly, so fundamentally. how getting to witness it feels on our losses. Only we, as Mayo of expectation and pressure? York, strolled the streets of Lon- to Ballybofey and everywhere dyed-in-the-wool Mayo veteran, A storm had forced a change in the match with in some ways like a strange people, can truly understand But oh, as time passes, it gets don. And ran as quickly as we in between. who was as hopeful as ever of Kerry to Sunday from the previous evening, Feb- privilege, an aberration about what the last few years has truly harder to not be there. And this could through out of the square None of us can be with every- seeing Sam back home again. ruary 29. Otherwise the attendance would have which to reminisce in years to meant to us, and how special it weekend will be the hardest in Tuam. Some I’ve had the one we’d like to be with this As unlikely as it may be, the been doubled. But having lost by a point Mayo come. Never has there been a has been. You can’t blame out- yet. privilege of knowing for nearly weekend. Some we’ve lost along thought of celebrating a win needed wins in their upcoming games against more peculiar year, when foot- siders for not getting it. The Still, our hands are tied, and three decades; others, I’ve had the way this year, and Saturday without her, or some of the great, Galway and Tyrone to stay in Division 1. ball has meant so much, yet the connections that bind us are we’ll be grateful for this shot, the joy of meeting through Mayo will tinged with sadness. great friends or indeed, adopted With Galway topping the division, and Tyrone build-up to a final has appeared strong, and indeed, there is noth- this opportunity, this Christmas football. Others are just unavoidably families we’ve picked up along apparently safe, Mayo were hugging the bottom so muted on the surface. ing stronger to bind and rally an dream. So, on Saturday, it’s with Together we have laughed, we elsewhere. I’ll miss my little sis- the way is unthinkable. of the table just above Meath. James Horan had I get a real sense, however, that army than a series of shared excitement that I’ll don the col- have cried, we have taken wrong ter, a Mayo fanatic since she was But by god, we’d take it all the been experimenting. No two teams he fielded when you dig a little deeper, into losses. ours and emerge from the house turns. During lockdown we have old enough to walk, who defi- same, wouldn’t we? throughout the league were the same. His search the WhatsApp groups and fam- I’ve mentioned it before in this for a day to meet up with a small, Zoomed and WhatsApped and antly decorated her Dublin bal- Godspeed, lads. for talent was exhaustive. ily and the various bubbles and column, but I have been border- special bunch of people. traded gifts in the post and nearly cony two weeks ago. This week- Maigh Eo Abú. But All- were far from the minds of those streaming from MacHale Park that Sunday evening in March. Evidence suggested there was reason to be hopeful of future success. Wishing all our customers a Healthy and Happy Appearances on the horizon by young men promised a new exciting chapter in Mayo foot- Christmas and a peaceful 2021. Best wishes to ball. Starlets popping up like Oisin Mullin, Jordan Mayo in the All Ireland on Saturday from all at Flynn, Tommy Conroy, James Carr, Eoghan McLaughlin, Ryan O’Donoghue etc were filling WARMING THE HEARTS Mayo supporter menced. In other years the opposite was the case. positions where older proven stars had begun Katie McHugh, from Knock is pictured with County players returning from stiff All-Ireland to fade. a hot drink before the National League competition were fatigued for their club cham- match between Mayo and Kerry at MacHale McLaughlin had fuelled conversation when he pionships. Jim Hogan Park in Castlebar on March 1 last. shook off a couple of tackles and lashed the ball Pic: Sportsfile The close and well contested play-offs held our into to the Kerry net that day in MacHale Park, interest, and were crowned with the victory of setting in motion a stirring Mayo resurgence. Knockmore tilting the balance of football power All young men on the springboard of stardom. back to North Mayo for the first time in years. But not just yet. Full maturity takes time. selves if and when competitive games returned. Surprisingly, only one member of that winning Couriers Then, the pandemic struck. Lockdown was Nothing emanating from the health authorities side has managed to make it to the county out- swift and mystifying. Confined to our homes we Not even Old eased the uncertainties of anxious footballers fit. COLLECTIONS, DELIVERIES, lurched from bouts of nostalgia to reminiscence. and followers. The whole season was driven by Off the field, the clubs also set a high standard There was nothing else to do. Moore for all the health of the nation. in adhering to the restrictions imposed by the SMALL PARCELS, It was like gazing into a black vacuum. his prophetic The merciless lockdown was lifted for players authorities bidding to stall the advance of Covet The deeper the virus seeped into our society, as autumn commenced. Clubs bounded into 19. Their restraint from wild celebrations pro- FURNITURE REMOVALS, ETC. the more havoc it caused and the gloomier the outpourings action grateful for the opportunity to play out vided the GAA authorities with the assurance outlook became. To avoid the merciless effects managed to warn their dreams . . . even against the background of to have the league and championship resumed. of the virus we receded into ourselves, enshrouded empty stands and deserted side lines. Only when Mayo defeated Galway in the league in a veil of nothingness. us of the pandemic Followers were facilitated by the streaming of did it become clear that the players were not idle Only then did it strike home what Gaelic games that was about the games on local television. Otherwise we throughout the lockdown. It did not prevent their meant to us. We, no longer in the first flush of to change would have missed the hunger of the players drop the Division 2. life, caught up with domestic duties long neglected. being acted out in a standard of football not seen But compensation in large measure has come But how our footballers navigated the surreal our cosy around the county for a long time. from the quality of their football. summer was the question hanging over every expectations so The virus, ironically, was an ill wind that allowed The country has been confounded. May their club in every county throughout the country. clubs to have their county players at the peak of onward march and their discerning and passion- In what kind of shape would they find them- fundamentally form before the intercounty campaign com- ate football continue for one more game.

BIG MATCH TWEET KEY NUMBER DID YOU QUOTE UNQUOTE Dontfoul KNOW? T: 098 - 27970 or 086 - 2941 355 In the six games - Finals & SFs - since “You’d have to ask 2015 there have been 259 kick-outs THE O’Connor the question, have Email: [email protected] between Dublin & Mayo. Mayo have taken brothers, Cillian and k ing 0 we been truly 7 more (133 v 126) with Dublin winning the Diarmuid, have both tested yet?” possession battle by 13 (136 v 123), but HOME championship won the Young 12 Woodlands Drive, al perhaps surprisingly only producing 3 more games played by Mayo Footballer of the T P oints shots (72 v 69) from those possessions. this year. Year award twice. Dublin manager Dessie Farrell @dontfoul The Quay, Westport

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 18 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 19 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 20 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 21 The two fast learners History repeating? Feature Daniel Carey

Tommy Conroy “THE history book on the shelf is always repeating itself,” ABBA and Oisin Mullin told us in their 1974 Eurovision winner Waterloo. have come a We’ve heard a lot in the last long way few weeks about how an All- Ireland final ‘like no other’, and together certain aspects of the champion- ship are indeed unique: we’re not aware of any previous decider that was played without fans in Profile the stadium, and the Sam Maguire Cup has never been decided by that pandemic in Ireland, Ida heavily beaten (1-9 to 0-2) in the Ger Flanagan a penalty shoot-out. Yet many of Milne notes that Mayo had ‘a final by Dublin. Seán ‘Baller’ the unusual aspects of next Sat- very low incidence of influenza’ Lavan, one of Mayo’s best play- urday’s game are not entirely in 1918, but the highest rate of ers that day, is the man credited HEIR competitive rivalry began without precedent in GAA his- any county in the so-called ‘third with inventing the solo run. some eleven years ago at the tory. wave’ in 1919, something she sug- Almost as strangely, 1924 saw Claremorris Community Here we examine four of gests may be partially attribut- Mayo securing two Connacht Games, when Oisin Mullin them: able to seasonal migration titles within the same calendar from and Tommy between Mayo and Scotland. year – winning the 1923 final in TConroy from Cong lined up beside each 1 A December final Overall, 23,000 died May 1924, and the 1924 final after other in a Boys Under-10 race. ‘TURKEY and Sam’. That’s what of influenza, most of them a replay the following November. Little did either of the two speedsters John Gunnigan on the Mayo GAA between June 1918 and April In between, the drawn 1924 Con- know back then that it would signal the Blog has cleverly labelled the 1919. nacht final finished 0-1 apiece start of two extraordinary sporting careers prospect of an All-Ireland title Mayo beat Galway by 0-4 to 0-1 between Mayo and Galway, a that would run almost parallel to each won six days before Christmas. in the Connacht final in Septem- match played in Balla where at other to the point that next Saturday But though strange to modern ber 1918 – hopefully it was more one stage, according to the West- they will stand side-by-side on the big- eyes, a winter decider wasn’t entertaining than the scoreline ern People, ‘the ball … rolled into gest GAA stage of them all. unusual in the early years of the suggests! But the virulence of a hole’. “I just pipped him that day,” Tommy GAA. the flu delayed the All-Ireland Conroy laughed last January when he In fact, Mayo’s first ever final, semi-final between Mayo and 4 Leaving without spoke to The Mayo News at the Club in 1916, took place on December Tipperary until January 1919, and the cup Stars awards, where the duo shared the 17. Mayo were unsure of being able THERE was a presentation fol- ‘Young Player of the Year’ award between ON THE DOUBLE Oisin Mullin from Kilmaine (left) and Tommy Conroy (The Neale) were joint winners of the Club Stars ‘Young Player of the Year’ award last It was ‘an unmitigated disaster’, to field until five days beforehand. lowing the Connacht final, but them. They also brought the house down January. Pic: Michael Donnelly James Laffey wrote in ‘The Road Tipp ultimately won by a point, Aidan O’Shea wasn’t allowed to during their hilarious interview with to 51’, a 3-4 to 1-2 defeat to a Wex- 2-2 to 1-4. keep the Nestor Cup after lifting Master of Ceremonies, Mike Finnerty. ford side who were clinching As in 1916, Ballina man Frank it. Instead, John Prenty brought On that night in the Knockranny House points out that they’re completely dif- and better,” explained Damien Egan. their second of a four-in-a-row. Courell got Mayo’s goal in the it back to Connacht GAA HQ in Hotel, the chemistry on display between FLASHBACK Tommy ferent breeds of footballers. “Anything he could do to get better he On a weekend of terrible first half, and added two second- Bekan. Whether it’s O’Shea or the pair as they stood on stage was as Conroy (left) and Oisin “As I like to say about Oisin, he’s would take it on board. weather conditions, the game half points. Paddy ‘Tiger’ Smyth, Stephen Cluxton who gets to lift obvious as it was heart-warming. Mullin at the 2009 extremely laid-back and he likes to con- “If you talked to Tommy 12 months ago was attended by an estimated another Ballina man, also landed the Sam Maguire Cup on Satur- “Ah no, it was grand being up on stage Mayo Community serve energy off the field,” laughed the he would have told you that improving 3,000 people, the smallest crowd two points. day, what Páidí Ó Sé called ‘the there chatting,” Mullin said in an inter- Games Finals. Bonniconlon native. “He’s a very unas- physically and strength-wise was his since 1901. It’s still a lot more The controversial winning point canister’ won’t be leaving Croke view that night, motioning to Conroy suming fella talking to him off the field main priority. I was only talking to him than will be in Croke Park next – before which the ball was appar- Park, due to Covid-19 proto- who was standing beside him, grinning because you would not think that he is last week there and he certainly did that Saturday though! ently bounced three times – was cols. ALL YOURYOUR OFFICEOFFICE & SCHOOLSCHOOL RREQUIREMENTSEQUIREMENTS UNDER OONENE RROOFOOF from ear to ear. “It was a lot easier hav- such a talented lad. during the break for Covid. Amid a severe frost, straw was scored by Gus McCarthy, one of Those with long memories in PRINT TT:&: 009898 26930/2693126930/2693Stationery1 TT:: 009898 26932 EE::[email protected]@BERRYS.IE ing him beside me, takes the spot light “I know from talking to people over “What underpins both of them is their laid on the pitch overnight, and many Tipp players who later this neck of the woods may recall off me. the years, the Lee Keegan analogy is a natural physical attributes, when you following a pitch inspection, the featured at Croke Park on Bloody a precedent for the victorious “I’m used to having him beside me for really, really good one. He’s the type of see them up close, the pace of them. I match became the only sporting Sunday in November 1920. A team leaving a ground without most of my life anyway, we never get fella who doesn’t overly concern himself know they work closely with Conor Finn fixture in Dublin to proceed that point also separated the sides in the cup after a major final. away from each other, on and off the with the pressure of playing, and you [Mayo S&C], and I hear Tommy has got weekend. the 1918 final (played in February We speak of 1947, when Ballina field.” can see that when James Horan put him even faster over the last year.” The Mayo team walked the icy 1919, if you’re still with me), but Stephenites beat Castlebar Mitch- That’s because as well as being Mayo marking the likes of and Egan said that he believes introducing streets to Croke Park from the Wexford edged out Tipp to clinch els by 3-3 to 0-10 in the Mayo SFC team-mates, they’re best friends since Conor McManus and he doesn’t look them to that high-performance environ- Royal Exchange Hotel near Dub- their fourth title in succession. decider. That game included a their days in Ballinrobe Community out of place. ment with the Mayo seniors at such a lin Castle, and goalkeeper Pádraig disallowed goal half a minute School and both go to college now in “He’s as hard as nails too. When the young age, combined with their attitude Loftus slipped into the canal en 3 A long-delayed from the end. Afterwards, the NUI Galway. ball is there to be won and he has no and raw talents, would have been instru- route and had to be ‘hauled out decider cup could not be found for pres- Their families go way back too. Oisin’s right to do so, he will find a way to win mental in their development as players, with a crooked stick’. WHEN the fixture list for 2020 entation to the Stephenites. grandfather, Michael ‘Sonny’ Kelly was it. I remember when he dislocated his where they could learn from the likes The Mayo News described was initially drawn up, nobody “Allegations were made, with a best friends with Tommy’s grandfather, shoulder in the Connacht Under-20 final of Keegan, Keith Higgins, Colm Boyle Mayo’s decision to wear red and envisaged that it would not fin- lot of justification, that the cup Mike Moran, in the good old days. against Roscommon and, if you watch and Cillian O’Connor. white jerseys as ‘repugnant’. ish until December 19. But the was smuggled out of in Both families are only too aware of it back, he shoulders the player with He says he’s not surprised that they’ve All they had to show for their first time Mayo met Dublin in a Castlebar car,” the late Johnny how proud both men would be watch- Park in 2017. He also coached them with such force it pops his shoulder out. But made such a seamless transition. first-half efforts were two points an All-Ireland final, the game Mulvey wrote in his ‘GAA Diary ing their grandsons go into battle against the Mayo Under-20s and Ted Webb he actually won the ball when he landed “With the school team, Tommy was from team captain Frank Courell, was played two years after that of a Century’. Dublin in Croke Park next weekend. teams. on the ground. It’s that’s ruthlessness.” part of the leadership group and he was but they trailed at half-time by competition had begun! “The following Tuesday, a tel- These days you could stroll into the “As most people probably saw at the your stereotypical kind of leader, on and 2-2 to 0-2. Tom Boshell scored The competition in question ephone call informed the Stephen- Mullin household in Kilmaine and find Club Stars function, they’re two great ISIN Mullin was the type off the field, with the lads,” he said. “With their only goal in the second half, was the 1921 championship, and ites that the trophy would be Tommy Conroy there; or take a short fellas, good guys when you talk to them,” of player, his former coach Oisin, less was more in terms of instruc- but they ultimately lost by end political turmoil (the War of delivered by a Bacon Company spin over to Cong and find Oisin Mullin Egan told The Mayo News. “The way says, who never needed tion, because you just trusted him. points. Independence and Civil War) lorry to a Mr Padden’s premises hanging around the Conroy house. they are now, it’s the same as when they much coaching. Tommy “He was always an eight and a half meant the final did not take place in Ballina. Sure enough, a box They’re like another son to the respec- were under-16, they don’t take life too Conroy, on the other hand, performance of out ten, that was his base 2 Football during until June 1923. was collected, but when opened CLOSING FOR CHRISTMAS ON WED, DEC 23 AT 1PM tive families. seriously.” Owould devour information and had a standard. I have never seen him have an a pandemic Before that, Mayo beat Roscom- it contained an egg cup.” One man who knows the pair better They don’t With all the similarities in their achieve- relentless work-rate to go with it. off-day, that consistency has always been COVID-19 has sparked renewed mon (twice) and Galway once We trust that if Mayo do the RE-OPENING ON MON, JANUARY 4, 2021 than most is Damien Egan, a teacher in ments, like an All-Ireland Colleges ‘B’ “Tommy was slightly different, and one there.” interest in the so-called ‘Spanish in the Connacht Championship, business on Saturday, no such Ballinrobe CS who also managed the take life too title, a Connacht Under-20 champion- thing that stood about him from a coach- Next Saturday will hopefully be the flu’ of 1918-19. got a walkover when Tipperary practical jokes will be played by Wishing all our customers a very Happy and Safe New Year! school’s senior footballers to an All- ship, a joint ‘Young Player of the Year’ ing point of view was that he was a latest chapter in the friends’ success In her 2018 book Stacking The (twice) failed to field in the All- the GAA once it’s safe to let Sam The very best of luck to Mayo in the All-Ireland Final on Saturday Ireland ‘B’ championship title in Croke seriously award, and a Connacht senior title, Egan sponge for learning and getting better story. Coffins, a substantial study of Ireland semi-final, and were then back in the wild.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 20 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 21 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 22 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 23 What’s up on Mayo’s WhatsApp

As the Mayo team prepare for an All-Ireland Final in Christmas week, The Mayo News got a peek at their WhatsApp chats

AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT A Mayo supporter celebrates after Cillian O'Connor's goal in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry at Croke Park. Pic: Sportsfile This journey will never really end

Column Fermanagh they could be seen wearing a beaming smile. Rob Murphy “Champions!” At this festive moment in time 70 years ago this week, Mayo WHEN you care about some- were a new force in the world thing that is out of your control of , the old under- and at times seems nonsensical, achieving tag which had weighed Gannon’s the quest for enlightenment heavy on their shoulders since becomes almost as important 1936 had been shed, the future a great deal more at your local store! as the thing itself. Over the last was bright. 25 years, many Mayo people The sense of It might seem like just a fleet- have sought out solace in the permanency ing moment, but there’s no such newspapers, on the airwaves, in thing as an unfleeting moment BELCLARE, WESTPORT - T. 098-25239 podcasts, in books, on phone that surrounds either. We can only live in the WWW.GANNONSGARAGE.IE calls with football supporting a sporting here and now, and be in no doubt friends and, up until recently, that Mayo people’s minds had GROCERIES  NEWSAGENTS  on the bar stool. story is one of already turned towards the 1951 The Mayo football team’s story culture’s campaign. FINE WINES  POSTPOINT  is often sold as some sort of “Can we win another one?” defined narrative, one that is set biggest lies Look, when the day comes that TEA/COFFEE  SOLID FUELS/GAS  in stone for all time. But if you a group of supremely talented CAR CARE  PETROL AND DIESEL  stop for a second, you realise footballers from this county how ridiculous that notion actu- refuse to let go of the past; we finally succeeds in winning the WOOD PELLETS  LOTTO  ally is and how damaging it can constantly place each moment competition, it will no doubt be be to the morale of those who in the context of previous one, the culmination of a phenom- *GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE* care. In essence, the sense of as if this whole pursuit of All- enal sporting story, the greatest permanency that surrounds a Ireland title number four is ever told, you might argue. It sporting story is one of culture’s somehow part of a collective will be the story of perseverance NEW AND USED CAR SALES biggest lies. competition for the all-time and resilience against all the Each year a competition starts greatest football team. I’ve got odds and it still won’t make a again, the trophy is handed back, news for you folks, we’re not whole lot of sense as to why it SERVICING/CRASH REPAIRS the teams get back to training going to take the lead in that played out that way. DIAGNOSTICS RECOVERY TYRES and we all go again. It’s a sort of one before we all kick the bucket. And yet when the bomb-fire a Groundhog Day effect that And for that matter, none of us dust settles and the bunting BATTERIES EMISSIONS TESTING often gets ignored. What you will see the final standings in comes down, we’ll get back to did the previous year quickly the eternal battle. our lives with some magic AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE fades into the past, what comes Each year is a year in and of memories of the great win and next is all that matters. itself. Come with me in my some idle thoughts over, ‘what’s Dublin have won five in a row, imaginary time machine back next?’ Because have no doubt SPECIAL OFFER ON PETROL & DIESEL their quest for legendary status to Christmas week 1950, for a that the conversations reliving CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24 is complete but they continue, second. Mayo was a more eco- the highlights of the final will and will continue until they’re nomically challenged place at be surpassed by the ones that stopped. Whereupon they’ll lick the time, and perhaps a little follow. BEST OF LUCK TO LEE, EOGHAN, FIONN, MARK, RORY, JOE AND TOM their wounds and go again. more isolated as a result, but “Can we do two in a row?” AND ALL THE MAYO TEAM AND MANAGEMENT ON SATURDAY The biggest mistake we’ve when a person from this part of someone will ask. “Why not?” IN THE ALL IRELAND made over the last 25 years as the world bumped into a foot- another will say. *This may not be the actual Mayo team What’s App group Wishing all our customers and friends a Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2021 Mayo football followers is to ball fan from Kerry, Dublin or Why not? indeed.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 22 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 23 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 24 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 25 We’re all in this together

A Fan’s View John Gunnigan

T’S been said countless time already but this truly is a year like no other. For Mayo supporters, this cham- pionship campaign has certainly beenI a unique one. While the players have had to cope with all the Covid protocols and the odd experience of contesting high-octane knockout matches behind closed doors, at least they’re directly involved. They get to be there. Supporters, though, have found themselves confined to barracks. That’s a familiar discipline for Mayo supporters fated to live abroad. They have to love the team from afar, with many emigrants rarely if ever able to attend a game. These fans are, though, often as obses- sive in their devotion to the cause as those based in Ireland who follow the team all over the country. Despite this, the county’s huge ex-pat following is often forgotten about. WILL IT BE US OR THEM? Mayo players That fact was brought home force- leave the pitch as Dublin’s Eoghan O’Gara fully to me the last time Mayo qualified lifts the Sam Maguire Cup after the 2017 for the final. Shortly before the 2017 All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park. decider, Mike Finnerty, Rob Murphy Pic: Sportsfile and I took the Mayo News football podcast on tour to London where, in the Oxford Arms in Camden, we packed the place out for a live show. What struck me most about that night – and, as a former emigrant myself, it did so forcefully – was how the many Mayo supporters we met wanted so Will hope and history rhyme? much to identify with the team and how, from afar, they were walking every step on the road to the All-Ireland decider. PACKED TO THE RAFTERS Mayo supporters in the Cusack Stand watch the teams parade before the start of the 2016 drawn All-Ireland Final between Column lips at the prospect of new chal- I’m out. to the power of a thousand, not A lucky few of those we encountered Dublin and Mayo at Croke Park. Pic: Sportsfile lenges. With the way the One WhatsApp later, I’m reach- claimed in some rural hamlet Liam Horan that night would, of course, have been Those upon whom we project odds are, we’ll ing for the sky rocket with a but on the biggest stage of all. in Croke Park a few weeks later. But our hopes are human with their doleful, self-loathing, air. Wouldn’t it be something? most wouldn’t have and, like countless own cares, concerns, fears and take a word of I don’t think I ever wrote a Generally, your club team lost others shouting for Mayo across the find it incredibly difficult not to be at side of the street. This year, for this in at an empty Croke Park, we’ll be able N 1995, when Clare hurlers aspirations. more confident preview of a big the next round. After Saturday, world that day, their support for the Croke Park for this year’s decider. What final, it’s like we’re all in America. to take comfort that we’re part of a won the All-Ireland for the They go from championship encouragement game than for the Wexford v there is no next round. team during the game would have been if, after all these years and all those We’d have loved to be there, would huge global Mayo support losing the first time in 81 years, I was games to exams the next morn- wherever we can Tipperary All-Ireland semi-final In Mayo, we are hopeless shouted out while watching on TV or final losses, we go and win the bloody have done anything to be at the game, run of ourselves in households the one of a small group (as ing. They’re back in the barracks in 1997. romantics. All the best roman- by listening to the radio commentary. thing, the very year nobody can be but it just didn’t happen. Or perhaps world over. Regardless of where in the small as two, I’m pretty by nine. Getting shifts covered find it Wexford lose it? Not in a mil- tics are, of course, hopeless: For one reason or another, I’ve missed there to witness it and to celebrate the logistical challenges were too great world we’re marooned on the day we’ll sure)I of journalists who joined by colleagues requires ongoing lion years. when you cross the line, you plenty of big Mayo games myself down it? or that hoped-for ticket never materi- all form part of the same unified the team on their Monday flight vigilance. Hmmm. At least no-one lured can’t hedge your bets. It’s an the years, even after I’d started the blog For sure, that thought is a hard one. alised. Or that reality simply got in the diaspora. from Dublin to Shannon, and In Mayo, our mood swings This year has seen another figures and will likely ventilate me into a bet. all-or-nothing affair. and so felt a greater need than ever to But, you know, people are having to way. All of us shouting for Mayo, all of us the riotous celebrations that lay would baffle the cleverest of own mood swing. The pre COV- those views in the coming days. You dream big, you lose big be there. cope with far harder this year. Many So, instead, we’ve accepted the next hoping beyond hope that this one will ahead on the streets of Ennis, a psychotherapists. In the course ID-19 league games were chill- With the way the odds are, we’ll nyway, point being, – or you win big. Last year, for example, due to differ- This year, for will be seated around dinner tables this best thing, of watching the game on be the one. town that needs no second bid- of a season, we can struggle past ing: after the break, we found a take a word of encouragement anticipating events Maybe too much has been ent commitments, I failed to get to four Christmas contemplating the absence TV from wherever we are. Our shouts Even if none of us can be there to see ding when called to party. Division Three or Four opposi- rich vein of form. The Tipper- wherever we can find it. in the future might projected onto Dublin. Is the of our Championship matches. (In this this final, it’s of loved ones and so we’d all do well may not carry to Croke Park but our it. Somewhere during that short tion and draw the best, the very ary game was another micro ‘The odds’ is a metaphor here. well rob the future country seeing more than is year’s knock-out format, that’s as many like we’re all to keep a sense of perspective about hopes and, yes, our prayers take wing. hop across the country, my col- best, out of Dublin. climate where we never looked I don’t know what the actual of some of its magic. actually there? They have a new games as we’ve played so far). But, since what’s really hard in this life. We’re there in spirit even if we can’t John Gunnigan (aka Willie Joe) is the league and I were struck by the We have stayed at or near the in bother but still allowed our odds are, purely out of lack of ALet it unfold. We’ve a big hill to manager, don’t forget. How will 1989, I’ve yet to miss a final. in America This is, after all, only football. be in body. man behind the the Mayo GAA Blog. conversations all around us: top over the past ten years opponents almost unfettered interest. climb, but we’ve climbed big he and his backroom team Until now. Me? I’m viewing the match as a chance This year, as we all yell like loons at He can also be heard regularly on The instead of reliving the glories despite these swings, particu- access to our goalmouth at I rarely bet, and, paradoxically, hills before. And we’ve fallen cope? Many Mayo supporters will, I know, to taste what life is like on the other the television once the ball is thrown Mayo News Football Podcast. of the previous day, their talk larly in the latter half of the times. I find I only venture into that down big hills too. We wonder about the inexpe- was primarily of the inevitable decade which has featured, in Will we win Sunday? Who perilous arena when I am fully The greatest victories of all rience of some of our great torrent of club games that lay no particular order, a surreal knows! Predicting what the sure of my ground – a danger- are the ones you don’t really young players – perhaps we in wait for them over the com- mix of availing and unavailing future will hold is a fierce waste ous locale for any human, as I expect. should have the same misgiv-

BIG MATCH KEY NUMBER DID YOU KNOW? QUOTE UNQUOTE ing weeks – and their enthusiasm relegation battles, a league title, of time – though we all engage have discovered to my cost. We can all remember that day ings about theirs. While our TWEET MAYO goalkeeper David was unmistakeable. Connacht championship torpor in it. You take a view, I take Not too long ago I placed a bet our club barely had a team, and fullback line has had its tricky Clarke hadn’t conceded “The likes of Cillian, “How’s so-and-so going for and a couple of tantalising another, and we argue it out: far with an acknowledged expert definitely not one of any obvi- moments these past two seasons, SligoStats a single goal in the myself, Leeroy, we’ll ye?” brushes with outright glory. too often we defend our posi- on the very topic over which ous merit. Yet, instead of crum- Dublin haven’t always been Mayo , Dublin and Sligo championship until be moving on shortly” “What are ye like this year?” I can’t think of any other top tions rather than seeking to learn we argued – Galway and Corofin bling, it dredged up something water tight in front of their own k ing 10 remain the only unbeaten Tipperary’s Brian Fox beat “Ye’ll find it hard to beat team in either hurling or football from the other person’s view. football. Did Corofin get to extraordinary to carve out a goal either. football teams in this year’s PLAYERS who have made him in the 10th minute them”. that goes through such wild Two people whose opinions I nominate Ray Silke as captain famous victory. No-one saw it There are straws in the wind.

al championship. their championship debuts of the All-Ireland semi-final. Mayo captain Aidan O’Shea The newly minted immortals fluctuations. We are past mas- respect made strong cases for in 1998? Not likely, I said. He coming. Hopefully we can whisk them said a score would sort it; I T @SligoStats this season. speaking last week were already eyeing up new ters at jumping out of holes Mayo in the last few days – both That made it all the sweeter. up into a thunderous storm that P oints horizons. They were licking the we’ve dug for ourselves. are well-known GAA media pushed him to €50. Big when Saturday would be one of those finally propels us through.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 24 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 25 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 26 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 27 Mayo’s championship in num6er5 O’Sheas Numbers Daniel Carey 0 0 4-9 AMOUNT of foreknowledge James Horan had AMOUNT of match traffic in Carrick-on-Shannon, CILLIAN O’Connor’s tally against Tipperary, the about the Mayo public’s trepidation ahead of the Roscommon, Salthill and Croke Park given the highest ever score by an individual in a champion- Roscommon match. “To be honest, I haven’t a Covid-19 restrictions. “Travelling from South Mayo ship match. ‘Staggering’, in the words of Seán ‘daring clue what is going on or what people are saying to Salthill on match day in 2020 is about as Rice. 8 this year,” he said. stressful as pouring yourself a cup of tea,” Mike MAYO players who made their championship Finnerty observed. debuts against Leitrim: Tommy Conroy, Oisín Mullin, Eoghan McLoughlin, Bryan Walsh, Ryan 9 O’Donoghue, Jordan Flynn, Rory Brickenden and MAYO scores against Roscommon which came Darren McHale. as a result of turning over possession. 4 to dream’ 2 CHAMPIONSHIP hat-tricks scored by Cillian SONS born from the same womb, Colin O’Connor. Tipperary (2020) joined the London- Sheridan’s wonderful metaphor for Mayo and Donegal back-to-back efforts from 2013, and the 0 Galway. “Mayo were grumpy and ruthless,” he Limerick game from 2018. WIDES registered by Mayo in the first half of the wrote of the NFL game. “Galway had a great games against Leitrim and Tipperary. 1 welcome for themselves, but came to the party Interview FAMILY TIES Sheila RABBITS dazzled by the glare of lights – Seán with no pants on.” O’Shea, a teacher at Mike Breaffy NS, is pictured Rice’s memorable simile when reflecting on Finnerty with her grand-daughter Galway’s apparent paralysis in the NFL game 0 Caragh and a life-size 2 against Mayo. Things were a bit closer in the DEBATE needed for the man of the match award cut-out of her son Aidan, GARDA checkpoints which Mayo News reporter championship! in the All-Ireland semi-final. Cillian all the way. Mayo's captain, as the Ger Flanagan encountered on his way to the 80 HE O’Sheas probably school celebrated a Leitrim game – one in Frenchpark, the other in NUMBER of minutes of ‘mild to acute torture’, thought they’d seen 'Green and Red' day last Carrick-on-Shannon. Friday ahead of the Anne-Marie Flynn’s description of watching it all following Mayo All-Ireland Football Mayo’s narrow Connacht final win over Galway. over the years. Final. Pic: Conor McKeown 47 The highs, the lows, I may not CONNACHT Senior Football Championship titles 4-12 theT excitement, the memories, 1/100 now won by Mayo. MAYO’S half-time tally against Tipperary, the the friendships and the be there if ODDS on a Mayo victory against Leitrim in the highest ever scored in one half of football by the matches. championship opener. 5 county team. All those matches. Because if he walks up CONNACHT championships now won as Mayo Aidan, Conor or Seamus were manager by James Horan, edging out John involved, you would always see the steps of Maughan’s four. (John O’Mahony has eight senior Jim and Sheila O’Shea from the Hogan 13 provincial titles, but only three with Mayo). Breaffy among the crowd. ously from Kerry, but most 1 PLAYERS (out of Mayo’s match-day squad of 26) Proud parents and loyal and Stand, but people gather for weddings or DEAD birds seen by Ger Flanagan on the steps who won their first Connacht SFC medals in 8 dedicated club and county sup- I’ll be there funerals, whereas we’ve gath- up to the press-box in Carrick-on-Shannon. “We 2020. HOURS it took Edwin McGreal to drive from porters. ered for Mayo matches for the were unsure whether it was Covid-related or not,” on to Dublin (and a parking That’s what will make next in spirit last 10 years, and that I miss. he said. space right behind the Davin Stand) and back for Saturday so much harder for “I miss meeting people from 5 80 the All-Ireland semi-final. the O’Sheas and dozens of other Aghamore, and , YEARS since Mayo had won their last Connacht PERCENTAGE of David Clarke’s kick-outs that Mayo and Dublin families like Belmullet...friends I have 92% SFC (or been in the provincial final) before 2020. Mayo won against Galway, 16/20, a virtually them who have sons involved made. THE percentage of David Clarke’s kick-outs that identical success rate to that of Bernard Power in the match-day squads. “I miss meeting them. Know- Mayo won against Roscommon, all bar one of his (79 per cent, 19/24). All those parents would give ing that on the morning we’re 13 restarts. Two kick-outs went long. anything to be in Croke Park all rooting for the same group 74% to support them, but they know of lads, we’re all hoping for the MAYO’S shot conversion rate against Tipperary that won’t be possible. They same outcome. I don’t miss the The very 2 – 25/34, their highest success rate of the 2020 have been on the outside look- pit of my stomach or the pain POINTS scored by Matthew Ruane against 48 championship by some distance. ing in for weeks now, and some “When Aidan picked up the in my stomach or my nerves,” best 45 Galway in a performance that earned him the RTÉ MAYO’S shot conversion rate in the Connacht days have been easier than oth- cup, after a very tough last 10 she smiled. AGE of selector/coach Ciaran McDonald. He still man of the match award. final, just 14 points from 29 shots. Galway ers. minutes, we did get very emo- Speaking of nerves, you won- of luck to looks like he could tog and do a job for Mayo. achieved a 65 per cent success rate, but only had “As a teacher, I would say it tional,” she admitted. “And I der has the mother of the Mayo 20 shots (and 13 scores). has lifted lifted everyone in the think a lot of the parents might captain allowed herself to imag- all the Mayo 7 school. As a parent, it has been have, because here we were, ine the prospect of Aidan lifting NUMBER of David Clarke’s kick-outs won by a very strange one. Because of they’re after coming over a the Sam Maguire Cup next team and 0 22 7 Tipperary in the second half of the All-Ireland Covid our experience has been hurdle for five years, they hadn’t weekend? LADDERS deployed at the graveyard end of Dr SECONDS an online clip of Ciaran McDonald TURNOVERS in which Chris Barrett had a hand semi-final … but they only got one score out of it. very different. But nonetheless, won the Nestor Cup. “To be honest with you, we’ve management Hyde Park for the Connacht semi-final against kicking the ball over the bar during the Connacht against Galway, while Oisín Mullin managed six. “It very satisfying so far,” reflected “And then all of a sudden, it been on this road a long time,” Roscommon. final warm-up lasted. By last Tuesday, it had been is incredible going,” wrote Edwin McGreal, who Sheila O’Shea last week, stand- was there. And there was noth- said Sheila. in their viewed 131,000 times. hailed the pair ‘turnover kings’ in these pages. ing outside Breaffy NS where ing. And I found it difficult. “You have to dare to dream. quest for she teaches. “But look, you move on and Every game, they go out to “It’s funny, we watched the they come home and you’re just expect to win. And why would Sam Maguire 71 25 Leitrim match first, and then delighted. And you can share they do it otherwise? But as a KILOMETRES between in Salthill 1 WORDS used to describe Kevin O’Neill in the Irish Roscommon, and I was saying the moment.” parent, having watched him, I from all 18 (venue for the Connacht final) and the Connacht TIMES Mayo physio Brendan Butler was mistaken Daily Star – “Knockmore native, former Mayo All it was awful pity we didn’t have Family has always come first look at it slightly differently to MINUTES elapsed in the first half when Diarmuid GAA Centre of Excellence, to where the Nestor for Tom Parsons by over-eager Mayo supporters Star and Fenergo Global Head of Asset Manage- someone in the graveyard in for the O’Sheas, especially when Jim, in that he’s into the purist at O’Connor got the only goal of the Connacht Cup was returned after Aidan O’Shea lifted it in before the Connacht final, according to a rumour ment and Asset Servicing – and Europe, Middle Roscommon because we could it comes to football. of the football. semi-final against Roscommon. the wake of his 160th Mayo appearance. relayed by Mike Finnerty. East and Africa Head of Sales”. have gone in by there,” she Sheila admits that sense of “Whereas I’m saying, ‘How Midwest smiled. camaraderie and togetherness would he [Aidan] deal with this “The Roscommon match was has been the biggest thing they if it doesn’t work out? But I Furniture fine because obviously the sec- have missed on match days. dare to dream. I absolutely dare ond half they did very well. “Jim comes from a big family, to dream, and I may not be 57% 11 28 “But then the Galway match, and over the years all our fam- there if he [Aidan] walks up SHOT conversion rate which Mayo had in the NUMBER of Mayo scores in the Connacht final DAYS in which Mayo played five games (Galway 16 I found very difficult. As a fam- ilies have been at all the matches, the steps of the Hogan Stand, , Westport,Westport Co Mayo Hyde – 17 scores from 30 shots for Mayo, up (out of 14) which came from turnovers. “There is twice, Tyrone, Leitrim and Roscommon), a MAYO scores against Tipperary which came from ily we found it difficult because whether they’re getting tickets and I believe he will, but if I’m from 51 per cent (17 scores from 33 shots) nothing like a turnover,” a visibly delighted James schedule which Billy Joe Padden felt ‘had a big turnovers – including three goals. Jim goes to everything, all the or not,” she explained. not there, I’ll be there in Tel. 098-41768 against Leitrim. Horan said after that game. bearing’ on the Connacht final performance. matches. “For us, we gather. We’re obvi- spirit.”

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 26 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 27 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 28 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 29

GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT Some second class pupils from Breaffy NS are pictured with staff members, Carmel Ryan and SUPPORTING FROM A DISTANCE Teacher Sean Grealis and these fourth class pupils from Breaffy NS were wearing their Mayo colours at school last Friday. Pic: Conor McKeown Deirdre Mannion. Pic: Conor McKeown

KEEPING THE FAITH These fourth class pupils from Breaffy NS were Breaffy NS enjoys the final countdown pictured with a cardboard cut-out of Mayo goalkeeper, Rob Hennelly, a past pupil of the school. Pic: Conor McKeown

School Visit Emily Moran Who’s your favourite Mayo At home. It will be very nail-bit- tense but even if they’re losing tense when we watch the Age: 11 player? ing and exciting and there will by a few points at half-time, games. Mike Finnerty Class: 6th Probably Aidan O’Shea. He’s probably be lots of shouting! we’ll try and keep the faith. from Breaffy and one of our Who will win on Saturday? Who’s your favourite Mayo teachers is his mum. Who will win on Saturday? Who will win on Saturday? It has to be Mayo! As long as Neil O’Brien player? Mayo! The team is new and Mayo! Cillian O’Connor will play they sort out their backs and Age: 11 Aidan O’Shea, because he’s a Where will you watch the they’re playing really well this a big part and might get a few Cillian O’Connor does what he Class: 5th really good player and he’s from game? year. more goals. did in the last game. Breaffy. At home with my family. We’ll Who’s your favourite Mayo have the dinner early. Shay Golden Colm Clarke Mark Mulchrone player? Where will you watch the Age: 12 Age: 12 Age: 12 Aidan O’Shea. He’s big and game? Who will win on Saturday? Class: 6th Class: 6th Class: 6th strong. Probably at home with my Mayo! They’re a lot better now brothers and sisters and mum than the last time they were in Who’s your favourite Mayo Who’s your favourite Mayo Who’s your favourite Mayo Where will you watch the and dad. the final. player? player? player? game? Kevin McLoughlin. He’s very Eoghan McLaughlin because Cillian O’Connor. He’s good at At home because we can’t go Who will win on Saturday? Leanne Boyle skilful, sets up a lot of plays, he’s fit and he gets forward. He taking frees and they can rely to Croke Park. I might have a Mayo, 100 percent! They’ve got Age: 12 and is able to sidestep people took that Galway lad down too. on him. glass of coke. much better and the Christmas Class: 6th easily. colours are red and green! Where will you watch the Where will you watch the Who will win on Saturday? Who’s your favourite Mayo Where will you watch the game? game? Mayo all the way! They haven’t Clodagh Timlin player? game? At home. It will probably be very At home with my family. won it for a good few years. Age: 12 Aidan O’Shea. He was really At home. It will be very tense tense but we would go mental if Class: 6th nice when I met him and he’s a until the final whistle. Mayo won. Who will win on Saturday? Jack Staunton really good player. Mayo, definitely. They’ve really Age: 10 Who’s your favourite Mayo Who will win on Saturday? Who will win on Saturday? strong forwards and if they Class: 5th player? Where will you watch the Mayo! Because their attacking Hopefully Mayo. Dublin’s team mark Dublin they’ve a great Aidan O’Shea. I’ve always game? play has been very good. But is probably stronger than ever chance. Who’s your favourite Mayo looked up to him since I started In the living room with my family. the defence has been a bit this year but Mayo have a good player? playing Gaelic. We’ll all be very excited. shaky. chance if the backs get sorted Ronan Loftus Aidan, because’s he a Breaffy out. Age: 12 man or Cillian because he’s Where will you watch Who will win on Saturday? Robert Jordan Class: 6th such a good player. the game? Mayo for Sam! They deserve to. Age: 11 Michael McTigue At home with my family. It’ll be Class: 6th Age: 11 Who’s your favourite Mayo Where will you watch the exciting and nervous. Sarah Jane Burke Class: 6th player? game? Age: 12 Who’s your favourite Mayo Aidan O’Shea because he’s big In the sitting-room with my Who will win on Class: 6th player? Who’s your favourite Mayo and strong or Oisin Mullin mum, dad and sister. I might Saturday? Aido’, being from Breaffy. He’s player? because he’s so fast. have a cup of a tea and a few Mayo! They played really well Who’s your favourite Mayo so big and strong and he Cillian O’Connor. He scores all biscuits. against Tipperary and are player? catches every goalie kick-out. the frees he gets and he was Where will you watch the getting better. Lee Keegan. He’s just really amazing in the last game. game? Who will win on Saturday? good. Where will you watch the At home in the sitting room. Mayo! We haven’t won it for a Niamh Moran game? Where will you watch the MEETING THEIR HERO These Breaffy NS pupils were dressed up for a few years so they’ll probably Age: 11 Where will you watch the MAKING SOME NOISE These Breaffy NS pupils were enjoying the ‘Green and Red’ day last At home, we might bring the game? Who will win on Saturday? ‘Green and Red’ day at the school last Friday. Pic: Conor McKeown bribe them to win it now! Class: 6th game? Friday. Pic: Conor McKeown dinner in with us. It’ll be very At home. It’s very exciting and Mayo by seven points.

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 28 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 29 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 30 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020 • The Mayo News MAYO V DUBLIN ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW 31 Mayo win Guess who got all grown up? new friends Ever wondered what some of the Mayo senior footballers used to look like? 1 6 7 Feature he’s well used to the pain of on a ‘work abroad programme’ and defeat. lived with Karen Hanley (Clare- Ciara Galvin “I’m a huge ice hockey fan, and morris) and Lorcán Galvin (Ball- my team, the San Jose Sharks are inrobe). very good, they always tend to A native of Hermosa Beach, Cal- T seems to be a case of ‘Fili- make it deep into the play-offs but ifornia, she explained: “I just got pino by birth, but Mayo by can’t ever seem to win the big one, back from a visit [to Ireland], I the grace of God’ when it so, following Mayo seemed perfect don’t think I had ever watched a comes to Gene Aquino. “They for me. I can share the pain and match with them. “They said if you say there’s always an eejit in suffering every year.” want to keep the Irish thing alive, aI Mayo jersey, and that’s me!” the And he remembers one of those try and find a place to watch a San Francisco native, who works many occasions. game. in NewYork, proudly told The Mayo “I moved to NYC in 2017, and I “So I found a pub, there was a News last week. was connected with Karen Hanley’s $20 entry on the door, and at 6am With no ties to Ireland, never sisters from Claremorris, through it was packed with people, all in mind Mayo, the video producer Mary. I met Jessie and Jayne and jerseys. So I started going to those for a tech company fell in love with we watched the final against Dub- and I’d recruit friends. Mayo GAA thanks to his friend lin. “After, we just drank our sor- “It was kind of a fun thing to do. Mary Davis, who roped him into rows away,” he smiled. I get to go drinking at 7am,” she 2 3 4 watching a game in a local Irish “I’m the only Filipino with the laughed. bar in San Francisco a few years jersey on [in New York bars],” he Down through the years follow- ago. added. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only ing Mayo’s journey, Mary has also “She said, ‘Do you want to get up Filipino fan, I wear that badge of collected some ‘Green and Red’ at 6am and come to a bar with me honour proudly.” merchandise. and watch this sport called Gaelic Asked if he plans on being a life- “Lorcán gave me a white shirt football’,” Gene laughed. “I didn’t long fan, Gene is adamant - “I’ll be years ago, now it’s one I’d lend to

realise how big the sport was. When a Mayo fan ‘til I die.” friends to come with me to Kezar.

I started watching the game, and Three or four years ago we went Clarke David 7.

in the environment of people cheer- EANWHILE, through Claremorris and I popped Mullin Oisin 6. 5. Lee Keegan Lee 5.

ing, I was like, ‘This is fun’”. Mary’ Davis’ love into a shop and got a jersey and O’Shea Aidan

Another reason Gene says he affair with Mayo got Gene one too. I’ve become one and Seamus 4.

took so easily to following Mayo’s began when she of those Mayo fans that’s every- Boyle Colm 3.

trials and tribulations is because moved to Galway where,” she smiled. BIG FANS Gene Aquina and Mary Davis support the team from America. McLoughlin Kevin 2. O’Connor

5 Diarmuid and Cillian 1. M ANSWERS

when the team came out and the collective sense of belong- ing that comes when a people from to Drumshiel Faraway, are united. Even the silence on the station platform on those days when our all just wasn’t 10 wild rumours we’ve heard this week enough, but you knew the spark was there for next year. so close So it is with a cruel irony that a year, which has already robbed Sketch someone inside the camp…” for the final, and Mayo Dublin team will be given only us of so much, now pilfers the Here are some of the rumours will line out with players 15 minutes to warm-up. Sorry, Mark Thornton from other counties on the that is too unbelievable isn’t it? last of what we treasure. Sadly, to avoid… team in an effort to topple That would not happen #LGFA These are the lessons I learned Tony Finnerty, our pilot on that the Dubs. They will be A Fan’s travelling to watch Mayo against trip to Derry, and the most stead- 1. Mayo players will all sport called ‘MayGalRosGoTrim’ View Derry on a wet July day in 2007. fastly loyal Mayo supporter there VENUS Williams, who was a the same haircut in the #didyoueverhearsuchnonsense 8. Ciaran Mac is to be added I went at the behest of this ever was, recently went to his magnificent tennis player, will final, styled on Oisin Mullin’s to the list of subs at the last paper’s Sports Editor who eternal rest. probably not be remembered top-knot, to try and confuse Philly McMahon will be minute, and will start centre- Rory Galvin 5. informed me of a seat heading For a man who revelled in the for her philosophical quotes, their opponents, a la the allowed to continue with his forward, as Horan pulls out all French rugby team in the north for the game. “Everyone journey, and had the rare gift of but she did get one line spot own specially adapted set of the stops to get one over on 90’s. Rob Hennelly is said rules for the final which permits the Dubs. #hesflyingintraining should go to a game with the seeing the wonder in the banal, on. “I guess rumours are more not to be happy about this. T’S a 484 kilometre round Oul Fella at least once in their it is hard to know what he would exciting than the truth. any manner of fouling in the #gameofthrones square without a penalty being trip from Ballinrobe to life; it’s good for the soul” he think of the situation. It’s a line which not only applies The second allocation of conceded #seriouslyref? 9. in Derry. There’s said. How right he was. I like to think he would see it to sporting circles, but life in tickets should be allocated a house in Knock with a We know the result — a ten for what it is. A chance once general. 2. Aidan O’Shea is busy in next Wednesday as the first garden hedge perched so point defeat to Derry; the last ANYONE BUYING OR point into the Hill as a friend we left off. To witness the waves more to rattle the Dubs on their And in these strange days the basement of the Croke 6. David Coldrick is moving allocation was all sorted last SELLING There will be no Park Hotel, digging a tunnel house, for the next two weeks Friday #iwish precariouslyI over a sheer 20 time we would see Brady, O’Neill need for bartering outside texted me updates to Angola. of green and red spew out of home patch. To continue the which lead up to what will underneath Jones’ Rd to he will NOT live in his home in foot drop that it must be impos- and Hanley in the Green and Croke Park next weekend. So when the annual trip home the station in Drumcondra. To journey next year as monarchs surely be the strangest smuggle the family into Croker. Clontarf, Dublin. He will reside sible to trim. A gable in Char- Red. Every Mayo fan in the Pic: Sportsfile in the summer does beckon, collect the elusive ticket from of the country when we’ll travel All-Ireland football final of all 10. Sky Sports are going to #thegreatescape lestown so tall, that the ladder county and beyond has similar plans inevitably revolve around a stranger from Ballycroy at the in our hordes once again. time, the rumour-mill will be in Papua-New Guinea and fly draft in Martin Tyler, Jamie in the morning of the match hasn’t been made yet that would stories of far-flung trips to Ennis, the championship, projecting corner of Gill’s under a swap I’ll be tuned in from my perch churning out gossip and Carragher and Gary Neville so as to avoid any possible to provide live commentary reach its apex. A field of barley Limerick, Killarney and New An expat of nigh on 20 years, ahead to the Bank Holiday week- agreement, brokered by your in Dubai with my two daugh- rumours to beat the band. 3. Dublin are currently training talk of Dublin bias in the match outside that is the York, but when the ghost of following the team has meant, end in Dublin when Mayo would cousin’s work-mate, that would ters; and when they ask me in Live action-starved Mayo with a new 10-man sweeper on the final as Finnerty #seriouslyGAA? and Earley are sidelined. finest in Ireland. Mayo championships past comes at times, trying to get an internet surely feature. We’ll work back- flummox the most hardened their mid-Atlantic accents why people, who have made system, and will line out in an unorthodox 1-10-4 formation in Carragher will state in the was the great- for a visit, it is first to that day connection in Yemen to listen wards from there. Brexit negotiator. Mayo people all around the following their county heroes a build-up that it’s been a great est loss that Mayo GAA has suf- I turn and reflect on how special to Mid West radio, ringing the This book-ended the summer Pre All-Ireland pints in Fagan’s world are doing the same; I’ll pilgrimage, are clambering for an effort to try and keep Cillian 7. If the Croke Park pitch is O’Connor scoreless. #4-9 seeeeaaason. #controversy fered. And if you park in a grave- are the journeys we make fol- bars and social clubs in Johan- for me, but the air miles were with your dad and brothers, and tell them about the trip to Derry, tit-bits of info as we begin unplayable, the game will be yard on a match day when Mayo lowing our beloved team. nesburg to see if they had Setanta always banked in the hope a trip sundry other die-hards, all of and why you never park in a another attack on the capital! moved to the Connacht GAA are playing, you will never have There were trips and adven- Sports, and having to imagine home would be on the cards for whom had news of team changes graveyard on the day of a game. So, as the saying goes, “I have 4. Pat Gilroy’s wishes are Centre of Excellence in Bekan And if it’s lies I’m telling ye, it’s at the last minute and the luck. tures before and since of course. Ciaran MacDonald’s sublime September. To pick up where ‘on good authority’. The roar Maigh Éo Abú. it on good authority from going to be implemented HAPPY OUT Philly McMahon Pic: Sportsfile lies I was told!

Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok Issue Section Sub Section Page PDF Made design Sales Read Editor PDF ok DEC 15 30 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy DEC 15 31 0 KL DAy DAy DAy DAy Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Time Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd Modified Mon, Dec 14, 13:00 Output Wed, Dec 16, 14:48 Location Server:THIS WEEK:z OLD:20201215:SPORT:ALL-IRELAND PREVIEW:SPORT Championship Preview Page 1-15.indd 32 ALL-IRELAND FINAL PREVIEW MAYO V DUBLIN The Mayo News • Tuesday, DECEMBER 15, 2020

Best of luck to Lee and the Mayo senior team on Saturday in the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park

from all at

Lodge Road, Westport Co Mayo, Ireland

The members and staff of Mayo County Council wish the BEST OF LUCK TO THE MAYO TEAM

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