INTERVIEW: “The best I’ve played in a number of years”
Castlebar’s Neil Douglas has been enjoying himself since the arrival of the new rules
Who knows what would have happened a couple of years ago if Neil Douglas had ended his longstanding career as a senior footballer. Fifteen years wearing the Castlebar Mitchels journey, four county titles won, that could have been it. But the forward decided to stay on – for the new rules' sake.
“The club game had gone a bit more defensive, and I include ourselves, Mitchels”, says the Castlebar forward: “And I think with the new rules really brought back the corner forward and the full forward line as a whole, it brought back the attacking element. There was a few years there, it was tough. It seemed plain defensive, space maybe wasn't there like it was before. I think the new rules has brought life.”
The ‘three versus three’ rule is even more important than the two-pointer in Neil's view. “There was a mentality, that full-forward line would be dropping back, trying to drop them back. Maybe even sometimes beyond the halfway line, when you were out of possession. And then obviously with the turnover, you had to get back up. Whereas now, I think keeping the three men up has benefited me, anyway, definitely the last couple of seasons.”
For Douglas, who is 36 now, it's definitely a blessing to not have to sprint up and down the pitch all the time any more. And then if the ball gets played into the forwards, there is more space to operate in. “I tell you, at my age, trying to get back behind the ball and get back defensively and then get back up to the full-forward line and then try and get back on the ball when you're in possession. There's not many lads, even mid-20s, that can do it.”
This season, he hasn't done anything spectacularly different, Douglas just enjoys his football. Nothing more. Nothing less. And criticism that has flared up occasionally this year, with some saying Castlebar don't have potent forwards, just doesn't stick with him. Especially as Douglas has new up and coming talent he can partner up with – brothers Joe and Gavin Forry for example.
“Two really talented lads. You'd spot them a mile away with their red heads,” Douglas laughs: “Joe, had a pretty bad hamstring. So he missed a lot of the league. He's small in stature, but he is so strong and he's got a left foot to die for. And his skill levels are top-notch. It's been brilliant getting him back.”
Some might even argue, without the injury, Joe Forry would have been involved with the Mayo U-20 team this year. His first appearance was during the group stage game against Garrymore. The same team Castlebar face in the final now. Forry came on at half-time.
It was a tough game for forwards, but he has definitely announced himself since with impressive performances. He is eager to learn and Douglas has struck a good partnership with his young understudy. They play well off each other – and the observer shouldn't be fooled. “Joe is deceptively quick over those short few metres, over 10 metres. You would just want to see the size of his legs. He's got serious power. And he's got good game intelligence. So his movement is excellent. He's constantly moving with the direction of the ball. And, he's been giving Donnacha McHugh a tough time now at training.”
That takes some doing, as McHugh recently earned his All-Ireland medal by marking Kerry giant David Clifford in the historic decider.
The good mix of youthful talent and experience that Castlebar have in the forwards, is matched with their personnel in the backs. There is young John MacMonagle, who is accompanied by former Mayo captain Paddy Durcan, and the aforementioned McHugh. One shouldn't forget big Bob Tuohy in midfield, and Seán Morahan.
Mitchels boast quality players in the defensive department. And that's certainly why they have the second best defence in the senior championship. Right after Garrymore. Both teams have conceded the fewest points per game and find themselves pitted against each other in the decider for the Moclair Cup. Defence wins championship. We've heard that one before.
Their fantastic defensive structure has propelled Mitchels into their first final in nine years. Hard to believe, taking into account the hugely successful history and spell they had in the 2010s.
“After nine years, it's brilliant to be back,” says Douglas: “It's been a long road for myself in particular. There's two, myself and Donal Newcombe, and there's a few others who have been on the go now for a long time. So, on a personal note, it's probably the best I've played in a number of years, personally.”
Douglas joined the senior team in 2009. That's 17 years in the Red and Yellow. On Sunday, he may get the chance to walk up those steps in MacHale Park again.
“We had huge talent down through the years. We have the talent, but it takes a bit more than that to get to finals and to win finals. So it has been disappointing because we know we've had the potential, but haven't realised it. So for this team, I think it's a massive step in the right direction to finally get to the final.”
Castlebar certainly can take their learning from the group stage encounter that Garrymore won 0-19 to 0-14. There was no doubt, that the South Mayo men were the better team on the night. They dominated their kick-outs and kicked some great scores. Probably a “good time for a lesson,” Douglas surmises.
Many great teams go on and win big championships after bouncing back from a loss. Castlebar were already qualified for the quarter-final at that stage anyway, which might help to explain the result. Anyway, all that will matter nothing when the ball is thrown in on Sunday afternoon. One thing is for certain: Neil Douglas will just enjoy it. Just as he has done all year