Mayo soccer team ready to start the climb again

SO low was the expectation of Joe Kelly’s Mayo, in last year’s Oscar Traynor Cup, that the Mayo League hadn’t an original kit for them to play in. Instead, they were handed a set of jerseys previously worn by the Mayo youths, a gesture, perhaps understandable given that it was five years since the last Oscar Traynor competition Nonetheless, it was hardly confidence-enhancing. 

Through sheer hard work and the tactical genius of Kelly and his coaching staff, Mayo grew up in those jerseys, and, game by game, outplayed, or out-manoeuvred, a variety of opponents, to qualify for the final. Kelly entertained no egos in the process and expected full commitment. It was full duck or no dinner and the players delivered. Some travelled from Castlebar; others from Ballina, Ballyheane or Knock. Others car-pooled from Dublin or Limerick. One or two stayed at home nursing excuses.  

Last season’s campaign wasn’t an escalator ride. The path to the final was paved by hard work, a solid defence, strategic use of an effective and disciplined number six, and a handful of moves rehearsed on the training pitch.  Club rivalries were set aside; there was only one camp.

If Kelly’s men surprised his masters at the Mayo League, they surprised a few others too – especially a fancied Galway side, that was blown away with the Corrib breeze in Terryland. The headline act that day was Ben Edeh – his pace, power and hat-trick are undoubtedly still giving the Galway defence recurring nightmares.

On Sunday, Mayo step on the first rung of the ladder again, when they travel to McSharry Park to take on Sligo/Leitrim in the opening round. They got the better of their northern neighbours twice in last year’s competition. The locals will be out for revenge. 

Sligo/Leitrim will pose a significant, but no insurmountable, challenge. They have lost some players. They’ll want revenge for last season’s two defeats and are on home ground. 

Kelly’s preparations are not ideal. Mayo have had no challenge match against external opposition, to test them. Andrew Shally and Niall Brennan have been abroad. Connor McCarthy, the Glenhest goal machine, is injured, and Jordan Loftus pulled up in Celtic’s win over Ballina Town, ten days ago. 

Stefan Hester will be the number one this year, like he has been for Castlebar Celtic. Cillian McGlade, last season’s captain, and Harrison Quinn – his Westport club-mate – will be the likely fullbacks, with Shally sprung from the bench as appropriate. Ioseph O’Reilly and Mark Cunningham – the Celtic pairing – will be the centre-backs. If O’Reilly’s recent injury isn’t cleared, I’d expect another Celtic man, Cathal Coyne to step in. Oran Groarke will be the number six, sitting in front. He was excellent in the last campaign and has been steady for Celtic all season, in a slightly different role. From there on, it’s not so simple. 

Brennan, Johnny Cocozza and Darren Browne are likely to compete for two midfield places, in front of Oran Groarke, provided Jordan Loftus is fit. If Loftus isn’t fit – a centre forward will have to be found from the panel. Jack O’Connor can play in that role, as can Browne and possibly Cocozza. It is unlikely that Kelly will bring Edeh into the centre. Big Ben has never looked comfortable there, gravitating back to his preferred winger role, habitually. All will be much clearer, of course, after training later this week.

Likely starting eleven (4:1:2:3): Stefan Hester, Cillian McGlade, Ioseph O’Reilly, Mark Cunningham, Harrison Quinn, Oran Groarke, Johnny Cocozza, Niall Brennan, Ben Edeh, Darren Browne, Jason Hunt.