Mayo need to get smarter, says Andy Moran

“We need to get smarter”


Andy Moran spoke frankly after disappointing defeat

Reaction
Edwin McGreal

THIS Mayo team need to learn to think on their feet if they are to win on a consistent basis. That was the view of wing-forward Andy Moran in the aftermath of Sunday’s one point defeat to Dublin.
Moran saw his last-gasp free cleared off the line and over the bar, denying Mayo a late win but the Ballaghaderreen clubman admitted that such an outcome would only have papered over the cracks.
“Even if that shot went in at the end we’d still be in bad form tonight because we didn’t perform in front of goal,” Moran told The Mayo News.
After Mayo had kicked a total of 18 wides, he conceded that they played into Dublin’s hands with a lot of their approach play. He also stressed the need to be more adaptable if Mayo are to achieve consistently positive results.
“Dublin have developed this style against the wind where they have two or three extra men [back] and I suppose [the half-forward line of] myself, Seamie (O’Shea) and Trevor (Mortimer) couldn’t get on the ball in the first half. They’d a lot of men, there was a lot of pressure, but I don’t think we used our heads enough.
“We could have used our half-forward line a bit more in the first half instead of just thumping ball in (to the full-forward line),” he added. “We need to start getting smarter on the field. It is alright developing game-plans but you have to start learning on the field and using your head.
“It’s disappointing. We were in good form but that’s the way it goes. We’ve played six or seven games and we’ve only lost one but we need to start winning games like this. We won one in Tyrone, we lost today, we need to start making it consistent.”
While at times Mayo looked as if they were physically weaker than Dublin, Moran identified this as a reflection on the Dublin game-plan rather than any individual superiority of strength.
“Dublin are always going to look physically stronger when they’ve three men on you when you’re shooting. It’s a style they implemented but come the summer I’m not sure they can play that type of football to be honest when there’s not going to be a gale force [wind].
“They are a physically strong team. I think everyone knows they’ve put a lot of emphasis on weights in the last couple of years but I don’t think physical strength played much part in it.”
Dublin manager Pat Gilroy soon emerged, somewhat surprised as to how his side had maintained their 100% start to the league.
“We didn’t control the middle of the field at all,” he explained. “We did get on top for little sectors but, overall, I think Mayo dominated that sector. I think we were lucky to be where we were [at half-time – one point in front] because Mayo had so many wides. Okay, there was a bit of pressure on the kicks but there were a lot of frees that maybe should have been scored. I think we were lucky.
“We just didn’t play as well as we had in the previous two games. Mayo are a very good team and they’re not going to allow you just take the game on. I think the goal just after half-time put us under pressure but it was good that we came back from that.”


More on the match
Wides cost Mayo dearly against Dublin
A Mayo man’s day with the Dubs
Dublin force Mayo backwards, and SeΡn Rice picks his best goalkeeper
AUDIO Moran admits Mayo must learn to think on their feet