Pic: Michael McLaughlin FOR HONOUR AND GLORY MayoM underd 21s21 bidbid tot bringb i back All-Ireland medals TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 • THE MAYO NEWS ALL IRELAND U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL PREVIEW 1 THE BIG MATCH ZONE WITH MIKE FINNERTY Mayo’s class of 2016 BETTING ODDS KEY NUMBER TO WIN Mayo 11/8 Cork 8/11 Draw 15/2 HANDICAP make their own way Cork (-1) 11/10 4 Mayo (+1) 10/11 ALL-IRELAND under 21 football titles won by Mayo. Handicap Draw (-1) 7/1 They beat Kerry after a replay in 1967 (4-9 to 1-7) and also needed a replay to get over Antrim in 1974 (2-10 to 2-8). In 1983, Mayo overcame Derry in a well or as loudly as it should have been. THE REFEREE replay by 1-8 to 1-5, and in 2006 Mayo pipped Overviewview The minors had the misfortune to win PADRAIG HUGHES (ARMAGH) Cork by 1-13 to 1-11. EDWIN MCGREALREAL their All-Ireland on the same day that MAYO fans have seen quite a bit of Hughes in the seniors lost to Dublin. They were recent years as he’s popped up to referee seen as the silver lining in the cloud everything from our 2010 National League Final TWITTER WATCH – there was no such ambiguity in Ennis defeat to Cork, our league semi-fi nal loss to HERE is still something special ten years ago. Derry in 2014, and our Connacht champion- EDWIN McGREAL about Ennis ten years ago. The short time between the minor ship win over Galway last summer. Just about getting the breath back. That was May 7, 2006 in Cusack Park success and the senior fi nal starting at Hughes was also in charge of Mayo’s National some game, some win. These boys don’t know and Mayo leave as All-Ireland Croke Park three years ago was some- The 2013 minor League defeat to Dublin in Castlebar earlier this when they’re beaten #mayogaa TUnder 21 champions after a thing very special. It was pregnant with Spring. stirring win over Cork. hope and Mayo fans were on cloud win was not After both semi-fi nal referees coming in for AIDAN O’SHEA For many young Mayo supporters it nine. “ harsh criticism earlier this month, it’s no Delighted for the 21s massive win. Dug it out!! was the fi rst time they had witnessed But, alas, it didn’t last and that Minor celebrated as surprise that the GAA have gone for an #Nerve #Composure repeat of 10 years ago in a county team winning an All-Ireland. team deserved to be much more than experienced match offi cial for next weekend. the fi nal. It had been 21 years (the year of cap- a footnote to that day. loudly as it @AIDOXI tain Keith Higgins was born) when They’ve shown this year, if we needed Mayo last won a minor, under 21 or reminding, how special a group they should have THE MAYO SQUAD ENDA GILVARRY senior All-Ireland. are. The against-the-odds comebacks THERE are 32 players in Michael Solan’s Mayo Well done to @MayoGAA under 21s today. Mayo’s record in the three main grades against Roscommon and Dublin were been under 21 championship panel. Unbelievable desire, commitment and true was pitiful. They had lost four fi nals great for the soul, if not so good for They are: Eddie Doran (Achill), Conor Kilkenny, character. One more run lads. #tiu #onemorerun in each grade but that did not hold back the heart. Ciaran Harrison, Fergal Boland, David Kenny, #maigheoabu Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly’s men It would be wrong to suggest that James Lyons (Aghamore); James Carr (Ardagh); @egilvarry that day, and the scenes which greeted this is the very same team as 2013. Of Matthew Flanagan, Val Roughneen, Barry Duffy Joe McQuillan’s fi nal whistle were those who started in that September the discretion of Stephen Rochford. (Balla); Sharoize Akram, Seamus Cunniffe, Ryan PAUDIE PALMER ecstatic. triumph over Tyrone, only nine played But before people get too excited, Lynch (Ballagh’); Mikey Murray (Ballina Stephen- Back in the West after witnessing an outstanding It did not bring an automatic end to a part in last week’s semi-fi nal victory recall that the way Diarmuid O’Connor ites); Diarmuid O’Connor, Michael Plunkett display of Gaelic football by a highly talented @ Mayo’s woes in All-Ireland Finals but over Dublin. bestrode that game in Tullamore is not (Ballintubber); Morgan Lyons (Ballyhaunis); Eoin Offi cialCorkGAA U21 team,roll on the fi nal it imbued a certain confi dence in the Indeed players who were not part of just emblematic of his own class, but O’Donoghue, James Kelly, Scott Kilker (Belmul- @PaudieP protagonists. that panel — such as Shairoze Akram, also underlines the difference between let); Michael Hall, Matthew Ruane, Liam Irwin A remarkable thirteen of the starting Fergal Boland and Brian Reape — have senior and under 21. (Breaffy); Seán Conlon (Castlebar Mitchels); BRIAN HURLEY team, and one sub, would go on to play become important players this time He was the only senior regular play- Conor Loftus, Fionán Duffy (Crossmolina); Congrats @Offi cialCorkGAA 21s on a big win! @ senior championship for Mayo, many around. ing for either side that day. Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore); Jason FROM THE ARCHIVES Mayo captain Eddie Gibbons (left) and Ger Geraghty lift the Clarke Cup after michaelhurley9 no room for that little MOTM of them forming the foundation of the However, the foundation of this team Keith Higgins was the only player Forkan, TJ Byrne (Kiltimagh); Colm Reape the 1983 All-Ireland U-21 Football Final. Mayo beat Derry in Irvinestown after a replay by 1-8 to 1-5. award in my cabinet current fi ve-in-a-row Connacht cham- undoubtedly comes from the class of from the Under 21 class of 2006 to start (Knockmore); Padraig Prendergast (Louisburgh); @BrianHurley15 pionship squad. 2013 and the champion spirit they have the All-Ireland Senior Final later that Brian Reape (Moy Davitts). There’s a great synergy about the fact exhibited this year underlines their year. MAYO’S LAST FIVE DID YOU KNOW? that, in Mayo’s fi rst All-Ireland Under pedigree. We’ve seen since how many of that ALL-IRELAND U-21 FINALS 21 fi nal appearance since 2006, it’s back Right now it would take some amount class progressed and the same will ring COVER PICTURE MAYO’S All-Ireland winning under 21 captains FIXTURE to Ennis we go. of hyperbole to over-egg Diarmuid true with the group of 2016. It just will OUR image on the front of this supplement 2006 Mayo 1-13, Cork 1-11 (Ennis) are Willie Loftus from Ballina (1967), John Culkin Ten years on, to face Cork once more. O’Connor’s potential. Two years ago not come immediately in many cases features the jersey worn by JP Kean in the 2004 Armagh 2-8, Mayo 1-9 (Cavan) from Ardnaree Sarsfi elds (1974), Eddie Gibbons MAYO V CORK But this year’s Under 21 team won’t we were told he would be better than and, while panel places might be up 1974 All-Ireland under-21 fi nal, along with his 1995 Kerry 3-10, Mayo 1-12 (Thurles, R) from The Neale (1983) and Keith Higgins from just be trying to follow in the footsteps Cillian O’Connor. His elder brother for grabs, expecting a raft of guys to All-Ireland minor and under-21 winners’ medals 1995 Kerry 2-12, Mayo 3-9 (Tullamore) Ballyhaunis (2006). SATURDAY APRIL 30, ENNIS AT 6PM of the ‘06 team. had just won Young Footballer of the burst into starting contention is unre- from 1971 and ‘74. 1994 Cork 1-12, Mayo 1-5 (Ennis) They will be aiming to follow in their Year two years in a row. alistic. own footsteps. They are history mak- We laughed off such nonsense. We’re As we saw in 2006, the long-term ers themselves already, after many of not so sure now. UP WHERE WE BELONG Mayo all showed why at various stages in benefi ts can be as vital as the glory of them won All-Ireland Minor medals David Kenny, Michael Hall, Stephen captain Stephen Coen lifts the Tom Tullamore. success. Mayo would be very happy Markham Cup after the 2013 Tell us something about yourself we Which three guests would you invite to What’s been your worst holiday? three years ago. Coen and Conor Loftus all join him in All-Ireland Minor Final at Croke Whether any more of their colleagues with the latter and allow for the former don’t know? your dinner party? Haven’t had a bad one, but my best was That victory was not celebrated as the Mayo senior set-up presently. They Park. Pic: Sportsfi le join them or not this year remains at to come in its own good time. QUICKFIRE That I haven’t the worst Conor McGregor, Tim Riggins certainly my few weeks in America last dress sense on the (Friday Night Lights) and summer. panel. Just check out Harvey Spectre (Suits). QUESTIONS Matty Flanagan’s Any football superstitions? Instagram page Who’s your ideal I try to wear the same shorts and socks in of the last pair of date? every championship game throughout the The Drive For Five - Mayo’s previous All-Ireland wins runners he Emily Ratajkowski. season. bought!! What makes Best dressing-room prank you’ve seen? A night in, or you nervous? Some of the antics Fionán Duffy gets up to 1967 (REPLAY) 1974 (REPLAY) 1983 (REPLAY) 2006 a big night When I hear wouldn’t be safe to mention.