NEARLY every time The Mayo News shares this column on Facebook, a certain individual inevitably demands that I write about how Mayo has suffered at the hands of referees down the years.

While I’m always grateful for the engagement, I’m sorry to disappoint that person, but today will not be that day. And, unless we endure another day like we did in Limerick eleven years ago, it’s unlikely that day will ever come.

Ultimately, if you’re good enough, regardless of the odd call against you, you’ll win games. Unfortunately, not since 1951 has a Mayo team been good enough, relative to their opposition, or done enough, to win Sam.

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Aside from 2014, I can’t think of a single game in which a refereeing decision has been the single deciding factor in denying Mayo a result. (Not even that time Denis Bastick picked the ball clean off the ground in the last minute of the 2016 final.) I might have thought differently at various times, but in the cold light of hindsight those are the facts.

And Sunday in Croke Park was no different. Mayo, on the day, were a long way off good enough, and it had nothing to do with the referee.

It was no harm however for Kevin McStay to point out that David Clifford was “well looked after” on Sunday. It has needed saying for a while.

Clifford is a phenomenal talent, and a joy to watch. On his day - most days - he is unmarkable, but that should not mean that defenders should be laying out red carpets.

But still, despite the lack of sporting entertainment on show and “the GOAT” was, as Kevin McStay rightly pointed out, well protected by the referee, was his display of theatrics really merited on a day when Kerry beat us at a canter?

It is, of course, important that players are protected, and there were no sour grapes, but Clifford is as wily as any Kerryman and well able to buy cheap frees.

It would be nice to see the same protection afforded to all big men in the square. Now, we’ll park that, but it will be interesting to see the reaction. 

LACK OF INTEREST

THE best way to sum up Sunday? Disappointing, but not devastating. 

The day started off well, despite the loss of an hour’s sleep, but as the sun blazed down and the tunes blared, it felt good to be on the road back to Croker.

The four of us were seated separately, since the powers-that-be abolished season ticket seating groups, but such was the lack of interest from the GAA public in this occasion, we had no problem finding seats together.

Waiting for the sun to appear over the roof of the Cusack stand, it nearly felt like an occasion. Offaly’s win over Kildare in Division 3 was enjoyable, due in no small part to an impressive partnership between Keith O’Neill and the irrepressible Cormac Egan. Kildare, meanwhile, continue their impressive record of underachievement.  

As the parade made its way across the Cusack stand, the phones started pinging. There’s nothing quite like that fear you feel when you just know you’ve been caught on camera.

Still, at least it was at that stage, when there was still something to smile about. The game didn’t offer much opportunity.

As predicted in several of these columns this year, our kickouts cost us dearly. They were clearly identified as a weak point by an inexperienced Kerry midfield and our indecisiveness and lack of a clear strategy left us at a disadvantage.

Our midfield was not at the races, but neither were our forwards. Despite a positive start, it was clear almost from the off how it was going to go.

Why didn’t we keep faith with young guns Davitt Neary and Fenton Kelly? Neary, when he was introduced, showed that he was well able for Kerry’s physicality, unlike other, more seasoned forwards.

We looked tentative, which was worrying, and leggy, which is probably understandable given the bigger picture. Collectively, it was a poor performance, but this team is undoubtedly capable of better.

There was plenty of debate about it on the journey home, but neither was anyone too upset when the dust settled.

SIGNIFICANCE

THERE’S no point dwelling on this game, and it’s certainly not worth the level of keyboard warrior toxicity it generated on Sunday night. It was a game we could have done without and one we’ll barely remember in a week’s time.

The abysmal crowds over the weekend told a story. If the GAA or Allianz don’t care about the integrity of the competition, why should the public or players?

Like the four of us, the highlight of Kerry’s day was getting a day out in Croke Park, and most of their crowd didn’t even bother waiting for the presentation of the brand new Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup.

No sentimentality there. It was interesting, however, to hear Jarlath Burns making a point of paying tribute to the administration of Mayo GAA by name prior to the presentation. Many Mayo GAA people will understand the significance of that.

It's a grounding all the same. We had a great league run in the end, but it brought those of us who might have been wondering if we were dark horse All-Ireland contenders closer to earth.

It looks unlikely. But that’s fine - it is what it is. We are certainly contenders for a Connacht title though, and it’s likely that Kevin McStay is more focused on getting through the next two championship games, to ensure we are in a good position to contest a Connacht final, against whoever that may be. That journey begins this Sunday, as Kerry enjoy their warm weather training camp. A farcical situation.

A word for the Mayo hurlers, whose achievements are consistently overlooked and under-celebrated. Quietly going about their business, Ray Larkin’s side won the Division 3 title on Saturday, and will play Division 2 hurling next year. Well done to them.

A word also, for the women’s footballers, who suffered defeat on Saturday and with it, relegation to Division 2. Serious questions now need to be asked about the level of serial defection from this team and what management is going to do to address it. 

For now, it’s back to Castlebar on Sunday, and a scrap against Sligo awaits. The real business begins. 

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