In-form Mayo worried about Cork’s glaring advantage

MAYO, in the spotlight after last Sunday’s crushing victory over Dublin, are a little concerned by a glare of another kind this weekend.

The towering lights of Pairc Uí Rinn which will illuminate their Allianz NFL clash with Cork, (7.30pm live on TG4) are a cause of concern for John Maughan and his boys.

“Without question, it’s a huge disadvantage to us. I don’t care what people say,’’ he says, pointing out that the Westerners have not played a game under floodlights so far.

“What we have got to do (in Mayo) is try and embrace this new situation and get lights. Unfortunately we don’t have a floodlit pitch. It would be nice if we could all be playing on a level playing field. At the moment, we are not,’’ he added.

That consideration apart, a meeting between the counties in the League is something of a novelty, given that the last time they met was almost ten years ago (in the 1994-‘95 competition). Cork won the game 1-9 to 0-7, with goalkeeper Kevin O’Dwyer the only link with the current side.

More recently, Cork beat them twice in the championship, in the All-Ireland quarter-final two years ago (0-16 to 1-3, with an injury-time goal from a Kieran McDonald penalty) and in the semi-final of 1999. That game saw Cork finish two goals clear.

Mayo arrive in Cork full of confidence after their magnificent display in Castlebar last weekend. Maughan though jumps into downplay mode.

“I think that was inevitable after their good result against the All-Ireland champions the week in a rather tempestuous game. I think it did set them up for a fall against us. We were lucky we got them on the back of that. If they had lost the previous weekend, I think we would have seen a different Dublin team. I think we will see them on the rebound this weekend. I expect them to beat Kerry!’’

Apart from his concern about playing under lights, Maughan points to the fact that he’s missing quite a few players - with only five of last year’s championship side available, Gary Ruane, Fergus Costello, James Nallen, Gary Mullins and Trevor Mortimer. Experienced ‘keeper Peter Burke is one of a number ruled out by injuries, while several more have retired.

Measured against Cork’s inconsistency against Westmeath and more obvious difficulties in attack against Kerry, it makes for an intriguing contest.

But, with the promise of much better playing conditions, there is the hope of a good contest.