Prodigal son returns to action for Mayo
The squad convened to discuss McDonald's request that he be allowed back in after Crossmolina's draw with Knockmore in the senior championship last Sunday. Although the decision wasn't thought to be unanimous, there was general acceptance among the players that the prodigal son could return. No guarantees were made however that he would play any part in the Ennis match.
McDonald hasn't played for Mayo in almost 12 months, since Westmeath ended their championship interest last summer. In January, he withdrew from the panel, citing work commitments. McDonald said at the time he would have been unable to give his full commitment to Mayo football because of work pressures.
McDonald took full part in a training session yesterday evening.
Fitness isn't believed to be a worry, as McDonald now trains under John Maughan at club level. What some Mayo people are fretting about is whether this latest move, taking place mid summer, will unsettle the panel.
Maughan, who as well as managing the player at club level also nurtured a young McDonald on the Mayo team, feels the move won't be as disruptive as some fear. "I don't think it will disrupt the setup at all. Obviously, Pat Holmes wouldn't have him back in the panel if he thought this would have a negative effect."
The official line emanating from Mayo is that McDonald was welcomed back. "He left of his own accord the last time, he is back of his own accord now. He will be welcomed back," county secretary Sean Feeney stated.
McDonald's form for Crossmolina has been a big factor in efforts to entice him back. He scored three points for Crossmolina at the weekend, and despite missing some scoreable frees, his open play was reportedly terrific.
While some feel the decision has come too late, there is a bigger ground-swell that a player of McDonald's ability will only enhance Mayo's title aspirations.
"It is a smart move by Pat (Holmes)," Maughan says. "Ciaran is a very talented footballer and Mayo can't do without a player of his quality. I have been working with him all year as manager of Crossmolina and he has impressed me with his fitness. That isn't going to be a problem, despite what some people may think."
Maughan feels it was impossible to ignore some of McDonald's performances for his club in the past few months. "He did score three points on Sunday, but he has been playing a lot better than that recently. And that is what brought him back to the attention of Pat. It is better to have a player like Ciaran involved with Mayo than not involved."
With his blond locks and languid talent, McDonald has been Mayo's most recognisable player of recent years, and also their most controversial. He has never enjoyed the easiest relationship with either management or supporters, and there is even a suggestion that bad blood exists between him and a couple of squad members.
When he quit the panel last winter, it was the third time he has done so since making his Mayo debut eight years ago. When the county left the All-Ireland title behind them in 1996, McDonald was living in the US, having given up on football. Though he came back to play a pivotal part in the 1997 championship, by the spring of 1999 he had left again, citing personal reasons, only to return in time for the Connacht success later that year.
However much he divides Mayo support, his ability is unquestionable. Those who hate him complain he has never done it when his county really needed it a thesis based primarily on missing a simple free against Kerry in the '97 final, although he scored a penalty in the game. Those who love him point to his 2-2 in the '98 Connacht final against Galway, or in the rematch a year later when he was irresistible in attack as a second half substitute.
It is a gamble by Pat Holmes and this one must have see-sawed wildly in his mind. He decided the positives outweigh the negatives and should Mayo be faltering on Saturday evening, whatever the opposition, springing McDonald from the bench will give the supporters a tremendous lift, and transferred it onto the team. And Holmes' attack, the 20 points against Roscommon notwithstanding, hasn't looked like a force that can casually disregard the flair of McDonald.
Victory in Ennis, and any part McDonald plays in it, will be seen as a shrewd move to bring back one of the county's most talented footballers. Defeat, though, and Holmes' own future may be called into question.
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