MAYO GAA COLUMN: Two points and a world of regret

Mayo’s greatest attribute is their ability to break your heart.

We learned that again last Sunday in MacHale Park where over 27,000 supporters saw Galway win their fourth Nester Cup in-a-row and Mayo go down in a feeling of déjà vu.

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For the neutral it was Connacht championship football at its best – the two old rivals going at it hammer and tongs. The margins as fine as ever.

For Mayo, it was another chapter in an increasingly familiar story - a game there for the taking, chances created and spurned... and a big, bitter pill to swallow.

Kevin McStay’s demeanour and comments afterwards suggested the same. He openly admitted their inability to close out games is a big problem.

And this one felt like Mayo’s only opportunity to give the supporter something to cheer about this summer.

Here's this columnist's biggest takeaway from the game.

Orange Flags and Lost Opportunities

When the dust settles, and the emotions return to normal, it's the missed chances that will haunt Mayo and their supporters.

In the dying moments, Matthew Ruane's two-point effort drifted wide. An orange flag would have meant extra-time, but really and truly most will have felt that we were unlikely to get the equaliser as two-point shooting is not a strength.

But the result was decided before that. Enda Hession's goal-bound shot was brilliantly saved by Connor Gleeson it must be said, but the Garrymore man should have hit the net. Paul Towey's misses proved costly at a crucial time.

Not to mention that sensational late block down by Dylan McHugh on Towey.

For all their possession and territory in the second half, Mayo never once managed to get their noses in front.

The Wind Factor

I've been banging the drum for weeks about the impact of the new rules on games where the wind is a factor, and Sunday was a perfect example.

Playing against a gale blowing directly into the Albany End, Mayo found themselves trailing 1-11 to 1-3 at half-time. An eight-point deficit that, even with the wind at their backs in the second half, proved just too much to overcome.

The new kick-out rules have transformed what used to be a tactical battle into a lottery. When even the most skilled goalkeepers are struggling to find teammates against a strong breeze, we've moved beyond strategy into chance.

People on social media cry out for teams to sort out a kickout strategy, but against the wind it is next to impossible.

Mother Nature is rendering strategy useless.

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Reape's Costly Error

In championship football, mistakes get punished.

Colm Reape's short kickout that resulted in a converted free and a black card for Rory Brickenden had a massive impact.

It swung momentum back to Galway just as Mayo were building up a head of steam.

The risk-reward calculation for short kickouts has fundamentally changed under the new rules, and Reape learned that lesson the hard way, not for the first time this season either.

It was poor decision making and a bad execution. The margin is so fine for any short kickout now and unless they are 100% on, there’s no room for an under-hit kick.

Physicality Gap

Regular readers of this column will know I highlighted Mayo's physical deficiencies around the middle to Galway after the league hammering and again last week.
Sunday was further evidence that when the chips are down, we struggle to match the raw power of teams like Galway.

Paul Conroy, Cein Darcy and Matthew Tierney were dominant, while Mayo couldn’t handle the powerful direct running of Cillian McDaid.

Even Aidan O’Shea found things tough. He had little impact around the middle and coughed up possession from Galway pressure on a few occasions.

Yes, there was great heart and courage in that second-half fightback. We know Mayo have that in abundance.

The disappointing reality is that when push came to shove, it was Galway who stood tallest in the physical stakes.

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One-Man Attack

Ryan O'Donoghue was, once again, Mayo's standout performer. Nine points, including a two- pointer (plus another which should have counted) was a good return despite being tagged by Johnny McGrath.

But relying on O’Donoghue has been our downfall.

Darren McHale was industrious throughout and was full value for his 1-2, while Davitt Neary looked very threatening running at Galway, only to be taken off.

The supporting acts just weren’t there and O’Donoghue can do nothing about it.
Some tough tasks lie ahead and how Mayo are going to get enough scores on the board is a huge question mark.

McStay’s Post-Match Reality

Kevin McStay's post-match comments said it all.

It was another game where Mayo failed to push on and put their foot firmly on the throat when the time presented itself and he knew it. He said it was now a ‘reoccurring theme’ for them, and one he looked like having no solution for.

It was a measured interview, but you could see the frustration etched across his face. It has been no secret they were targeting this game nine months out, as he said, but putting all the eggs in one basket is a dangerous game.

McStay knows they left this one behind.

And the fact Mayo had more than enough chances to put this game to bed will frustrate him for
a long time to come.