MEETING THEIR HERO Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea poses for a selfie with some supporters. Pic: Conor McKeown
Mike Finnerty
Lee Keegan
Westport
WHAT more can we say about the Westport warrior?
The 32 year-old was making his 156th appearance for Mayo last Saturday and produced a performance good enough to see him named Sky Sports’ man of the match by Paul Earley.
It took Keegan a few minutes to get his bearings, his direct opponent, Gary Mohan, popping over two early points to focus his man’s mind. But that was as good as it got for the Monaghan forward; one classic Keegan dispossession as Mohan was bearing down on goal just summing up how hard he is to beat in a one-on-one battle.
By all accounts, Leeroy is now in the ‘Paul McGrath’ stage of his career, where he doesn’t take a full part in each and every training session, but he keeps himself ticking over and keeps on producing the goods on the big days.
Did you know? Lee has now scored 8-75 in his Mayo career.
Aidan O’Shea
Breaffy
IN many ways, the big midfielder was Mayo’s stand-out performer in the first half.
James Horan used O’Shea in a role that showcased his best attributes, as he used his defensive capabilities and tackling skills to great effect.
He also won more than his fair share of ball, and seemed to be very clear in terms of his role and what the overall game-plan was.
Crucially, he also seemed to be moving the ball quicker than usual and was very effective.
His hand-passing was good, especially, in the first half and he showed notable urgency – both in terms of chasing people down and then, when winning the ball back, moving it on.
On Saturday he wasn’t worried about hitting a 60-yard raking pass; instead, he just kept the ball moving off the shoulder.
In truth, O’Shea would probably have been the stand-out contender for man of the match, but for that lapse of concentration with the hand-pass at the end that almost led to a Monaghan penalty.
We’re unlikely to see Aidan try that particular pass again any time soon!
Did you know? Aidan made his 172nd appearance for Mayo last Saturday.
Enda Hession
Garrymore
THIS was only a third ever championship start for the Garrymore man and he passed his first Qualifier exam with flying colours.
James Horan gave Hession the man-marking job on Monaghan’s in-form corner-forward, Jack McCarron and, apart from a few occasions in the opening half, he did a fine job.
Like Keith Higgins before him, Hession isn’t a natural corner-back but he has pace, and that allows him to get out of trouble and into dangerous positions.
Time and again in the closing stages, Hession came flying out of the Mayo defence carrying ball and was always eager to come off the shoulder of a team-mate.
Like many of his team-mates, his season has been interrupted by injury but Saturday was a reminder of what he can offer.
Did you know? Enda is still waiting to get his first score for Mayo in league or championship.
