GAA column: Billy Joe Padden talking tactics after Mayo's defeat

Ryan O'Donoghue was well-shackled at times but when he came out the field in the second half he seemed to say ‘to hell with it’ and tried to make things happen. I think he had three really long direct balls into the full-forward line that are unusual in the modern game and they brought Mayo some success, ending with one goal scored one ending up just wide and one saved.

O'Donoghue's ball to Towey was exceptional and the receiver did very well to keep his feet and finish it smartly, low past the goalkeeper. The Charlestown man looked really sharp and if he can improve his ball-winning he’d play ahead of a lot of others because he is such a good finisher.

Mayo had chances to really take charge between the 50th and 60th minutes when the momentum was with them, but they couldn't get ahead.

Jordan Flynn's goal shot was saved and O’Donoghue's chip that went over the bar were all factors in Mayo not hitting the front at the start of the final quarter, but there were also signs of how good a team Derry are when they took the sting out of the Mayo attack.

That’s really difficult to do against a Mayo team with momentum, at home, the crowd getting behind them, subs coming off the bench and Towey making an immediate impact. To see Derry taking the sting out of that brilliantly is a really strong indication of how good they are and also an indication of how Mayo don't really have any way of creating scores other than a little bit of chaos from long balls.

However, Mayo may learn that when faced by a team playing measured, meticulous football with lots of defenders in and around the 'D,' they may be better served by being a bit more direct and playing a ball right into the penalty area and see what happens.

If I was Kevin McStay or Stephen Rochford it's something I would consider. I’m not saying it should be the full gambit of a game plan, but there may be opportunities in a game when you can utilise it.

MEASURING UP

Mayo need to measure themselves against a team like Derry and the football they play and I'm afraid to say it appears as if Mayo are not at the same level in the way they get bodies back and defended counter-attacked with good use of the ball.

The fact that Mayo really struggled on their own kick-out was worrying and it looked they had just over 50 percent success, which is nowhere near good enough.

When Mayo had all their defenders back and Derry were on one of their more structured attacks it looked as if the Ulster men kept it narrower, moved the ball quicker and had players running at different angles. It looked as if they had set plays, set patterns of play where there were different angles and a real change of pace with a runner coming off the shoulder or two slow passes, followed by two or three quick passes to put a fella through a hole and take a shot.

In attack, Mayo spread players out very well, but there wasn't the same change of pace from runners and when players get into that area there was a couple of 'turn-downs' where fellas were unwilling to take shots when they were on.

I think it's quite clear that Derry are operating at a different level in terms of that game plan. We wondered how Mayo would set up in this aspect play and it's quite clear that Derry are streets ahead. Their speed, angles and commitment to breaking through cover is way ahead of Mayo's.

BIGGER PICTURE

On the bigger picture, we've seen Derry and Tyrone really go after the Mayo kick-out and that's something that has to be worked on going forward. Opposition managers will look at this and immediately put plans in place.

It would be unfair to lump all the blame on the goalkeepers but restarts are a 15-man and coaching thing where strategies have to be put in place and players on the pitch have to execute. Unfortunately they have been found wanting in this regard.

In conclusion, the scoreboard could have looked a lot worse but it's clear and obvious that Derry were operating at a different level to Mayo. Maybe we'll look back at this game later in the season and see a very different performance from McStay's men, but in terms of the way Derry defended and then moved the ball forward they looked much more confident and capable.

We were looking for Mayo to answer questions on Sunday, but unfortunately they failed the test.