Massive result for Mayo as Croker jinx hits Kerry
To come back from four points down to Kerry, in Croke Park, and then go on and beat their nemesis with a late score in injury time of extra-time is a big boost for them.
I am not saying they will have an outstanding All-Ireland series or even beat Cork in two weeks time in the league final. However, in light of the harrowing anguish the Kingdom dished out to Mayo in Croke Park in the past decade (2004 and 2006 especially) it was a massive result for them.
James Horan has worked hard with this panel since he was appointed and his side now has a terrific work ethic. This narrow win will be a big boost for their self-belief and psychological well-being going into the championship.
The fact their win had as much to do with Kieran Donaghy’s aimless cross-field pass in normal time and a stunning goal by Colm Boyle in injury-time is irrelevant.
It is the result that matters. And Mayo can analyse the video of the game in their training camp in Portugal knowing they are an improving outfit and capable of winning their first league title since 2001 when they face Cork on Sunday week.
They defeated Conor Counihan’s men by 1-13 to 2-6 in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final and will be eager to repeat the feat. Their forwards are working well and in Kevin McLoughlin, Andy Moran and Alan Dillon they have a very mobile and lively half-forward line. Inside, Conor Mortimer and Cillian O’ Connor are dangerous and Michael Conroy will be disappointed with his withdrawal yesterday.
Mayo are currently the best team in Connacht and will hope to annex the league title to give themselves genuine momentum going into the summer.
Yesterday raised other questions for Jack O’Connor. Last September they lost the All-Ireland from a winning position and watching the same thing happen again at the stadium they are far more used to winning in is a worry.
They were four points clear and had one foot in the league final when they got careless.
Donaghy’s pass was bizarre and foolish. It was completely the wrong option to take, even if it had come off.
He should have worked the ball up his own wing and kept things simple, rather than trying to be fancy. Paul Galvin’s attempted tackle was a poor one too and with Marc Ó Sé arriving on the scene he should have avoided tugging the Mayo forward back. Darran O’Sullivan’s foul to set up Cillian O’Connor’s equaliser was sloppy too and it begs the question - are Kerry’s half-forwards getting sucked back too deep? Attack and pinning the opposition back is the best form of defence.
It was a game Kerry lost, as much as Mayo won.
We expect Kerry to learn from their mistakes and the defeat should harden their resolve for the championship. A fully fit Declan O’ Sullivan will help too.
Cork always looked the superior outfit against a disappointing Down outfit.
The power and ball winning ability of Alan O’Connor, Pearse O’Neill and Paddy Kelly puts them in a strong position against most opponents.
It was great to see Colm O’ Neill back to full fitness and moving so well. He took his goal brilliantly. Paul Kerrigan was lively too and his searing pace is ideally suited to the open spaces of Croker. I will reserve judgement on the Aidan Walsh try-out at full-forward until we see how he does in the league final.
Cork are going for a hat-trick of league titles and while winning another may not be priority for the squad this year, now that they are in the final they will be gung-ho to do so.
Handing out a bit of revenge to Mayo for last year’s championship defeat while winning it, would make the experience a little sweeter too.
