Time for Mayo's luck to change, says Padden

WILLIE JOE PADDEN, who is something of a folk hero in Mayo, doesn't have too many happy memories of playing football against Cork something he hopes will change on Monday afternoon.

In 1989 he figured on the losing team in the All-Ireland final and four years later was again on the receiving end of defeat, this time at the penultimate stage of the championship.

Now operating a successful auctioneering business in Castlebar, Padden was in Ennis last Saturday night watching Mayo taking care of business against Tipperary in the qualifier. Given that showing, he reckons his native county are more than capable of beating Cork on Monday in the quarter-final.

“Cork have had the better of the exchanges in all our meetings over the last 13 years, but that has to change some time. What better time than next Monday,” he said.

“Mayo football has been something of an enigma over the years. We’ve had some outstanding teams in the 1990s but failed to deliver the ultimate prize. The two defeats in the finals of 1996 and 1997 were hammer blows.

“From that point of view the league win in 1999 was crucial. It was essential to win a national title as it helped to remove any doubts about our ability to compete at the highest level, but we failed in the championship to Cork later the same year which was hugely disappointing.”

While he admits he hasn’t seen Cork play this year except on television, Padden feels both teams play a similar brand of football and contain a number of players of the same calibre, which should see Monday’s match being something of a wide open affair.

“The space of revamped Croke Park will suit both teams who love to play the ball around. In my view the outcome will come down to who wants the victory most, and I feel we do.

“Apart from wanting to reach the All-Ireland semi-final, we need to break the Cork hoodoo. They are something of a thorn in our side which we need to get rid of once and for all.”

Padden played most of his inter-county football at midfield, and understandably, says it will be the crucial area between Cork and Mayo.

“If you win midfield, you are well on your way. It’s been our Achilles heel for a couple of years, but with David Brady back he has given us an edge there in all our games this year. I understand Cork have also got a very good midfielder in Graham Canty. By all accounts he was outstanding in the replays against Kerry and Tipperary, and it will be interesting to see how Brady copes with him.

“Another plus for Mayo is the return of Kieran McDonald. Pat Holmes may be reluctant to start him, but if I were in charge I certainly would. I’d always put my best team forward, and take my chances. On his day McDonald is a match-winner, and there aren’t too may of his kind around.

“We’ve been at the top of the hill now for a couple of years but don’t seem to be able to get over it. Apart from Cork on Monday, no one in Ireland would begrudge Mayo an All-Ireland senior title, but no one can win it for us, only ourselves.

“Galway have been the dominant force in Connacht over the last three years, but the introduction of the qualifiers has given us opportunity to play in the All-Ireland series. I just hope we don’t waste that opportunity.”