More ups than downs this time
REDEMPTION has been a feature of James Horan’s Mayo, since he took the reins in January… and on this occasion it revived the joy of winning.
So many spirited recoveries have ended in disappointment this season that a win over the League and All-Ireland champions not only eased the unpleasant memory of last year’s final defeat, but also lifted the cloud of relegation.
Mayo will thus travel lighter next Sunday to Monaghan for their final match of the competition, in the knowledge that they have copperfastened their place in Division One.
The pattern of their victory contained all the ups and downs of other performances… except that this ended on a brighter note.
It was the proverbial game of two halves, and as with other performances their rich recovery must not be allowed expunge the pain of their play in the first half… or the work that remains to be done.
For Mayo were run ragged in that opening period, confused by Cork’s freewheeling play-anywhere philosophy against the strong wind. And expectations that the one point advantage Mayo enjoyed at the interval would haul them out of the chasm were not high.
One perceptible cue to what was to come was detected in the brilliant interception by Keith Higgins which denied Pearse O’Neill a goal that might have riveted a Cork win before half-time.
It told of a much more assured defence than we had seen against Dublin, led with conviction by Higgins and followed resolutely by Tom Cunniffe, the Feeney brothers, Lee Keegan and Ger Cafferkey.
All of that was more evident when they had something positive to defend… a three-point lead crowned by a spectacular goal eleven minutes into the second half, as they tore into the Munster men.
There was no sign of that goal when Cafferkey ballooned the ball out to the right wing, but Jason Doherty was determined to make the best of it. After winning possession he rounded Ray Carey, burrowed on towards the goal, stumbled, and with a couple of defenders hanging onto him managed to find the net.
It was a fine piece of opportunism, and a sign of the intellectual spirit the Burrishoole man and Alan Freeman have brought to the attack. Both were excellent, and a bit unfortunate not to have hewn another goal when Freeman put Doherty through.
Alan Dillon and Andy Moran added to the recovery, maybe even began it with their tenacious leadership. And in the absence of Ronan McGarrity, Aidan O’Shea brought to his midfield debut the promise of a prosperous partnership with McGarrity. Two excellent points by James Kilcullen ensured that he, too, is still a hot contender.
Mayo, leading by seven points, did not score for the final twenty minutes, and the defence in which Kevin McLoughlin played a sweeping role, was hard pressed as point by point Cork cut the lead back to two points… until time ran out.
There were many contenders for man of the match… including Moran, Dillon, Doherty and Freeman. And while Moran’s grit and probing passes earned considerable praise, his marker Eoin Cadogan did most of the damage to Mayo in the first half.
For that reason my man of the match was Keith Higgins for the manner in which he dealt with the big, strong corner-forward Daniel Goulding… a lesson learned well from Dublin.
All quiet on Mayo clubs’ emigration front
GAA clubs hit by emigration will welcome the initiative taken by Munster GAA CEO Pat Fitzgerald to get players back to work.
The €8 million proposal is being studied by GAA chiefs in Croke Park and by other provincial bosses, and follows complaints by many small clubs that emigration is threatening their very existence.
The scheme envisages an allocation of €1.6m per year from the provinces and Croke Park for the next five years towards a special fund to encourage businesses to hire unemployed GAA players.
Fifty percent of the money would come from the provinces and 50% from Croke Park. A sum of €4,000 would be paid to the employer to hire out an unemployed person per year.
If fully subscribed it would take 400 players off the dole a year.
The scheme, confined to club players only, would apply to 400 different players in each of the five years, and would be administered by the provincial councils with assistance from Croke Park as necessary.
Fitzgerald said the scheme wouldn’t solve all the ills of the country but it would do an awful lot for the 400 unemployed players and their clubs.
Concern about the increasing number of GAA players leaving the country in search of work has been the theme of club annual meetings over the past number of months.
Some weeks ago, Galway County Board Chairman Gerry Larkin called on the government to produce a plan to help unemployed players find work at home. It was the biggest issue facing clubs right now, he said.
Surprisingly, appeals for help from Mayo clubs, a county historically hard hit by emigration, and which is not escaping the harsh effects of the recession, have been less than deafening.
Some weeks ago this column asked every club how, if at all, they were affected by emigration. Of over fifty clubs e-mailed, ten took the time and had the courtesy to reply.
Here’s how those who responded are faring:
Tourmakeady: “We’re tight for numbers at best of times. Thankfully it hasn’t yet affected our Intermediate team but a few younger lads who would possibly have been in junior ranks have sought employment in UK.”
Shrule/Glencorrib: “We have four in Australia, one in New Zealand, with more to follow in the year ahead I’m afraid.”
Ardnaree: “We have been affected by a number of departures. Most individuals concerned were involved in the construction trade. The number of departures also varies on a seasonal basis.
“Four of our first team panel have left to take up work elsewhere in recent months, including one for Dubai, one for London and two for Dublin.”
Knockmore: “Emigration not a major factor. Unemployment more of immediate concern. A number of players have no work or even the prospect of work. It will be very hard to hold on to third level students this summer as there will be no casual work for them, hence the lure of Soho or Bondi beach.”
Crossmolina: “Thankfully no problems with emigration. One or two players have left for work in England and America but it does not affect the club as it does with other clubs in the county.”
Carramore: “One player from our club left for Australia last summer, since then no one has left thankfully. But in the coming year I’m sure many more are to follow.”
Moy Davitts: “We have only lost a few lads to emigration in the last couple of years. So far we have lost three to Australia, one to Manchester, one to London, one to Malaysia.”
Mayo Gaels: “In the Mayo Gaels’ club in the last three years four guys have gone; two to Australia, two to England.”
Kiltane: “We have lost three players in the last while: Tony Gaughan and John Scanlon are both now living and working in England, and Tommy Gallagher is now living and working in Cork.”
Ardagh: “Ardagh GAA have not been affected by emigration as of yet this year or last. Alcohol and women... yes!”
Just a thought …
Most Mayo fans have already written Galway out of the championship reckoning, their last couple of league results, especially their five-points win over Armagh ought change their view. The men in the maroon are by no means a spent force.
