Keep it real over Duffy, Mayo fans are warned

Former Mayo player Ger Brady has warned supporters to be realistic about the introduction of his fellow Ballina Stephenites clubman Gavin Duffy to the county panel.

Brady, who returned to Mayo colours in the mid-Noughties having played AIL rugby, spoke to the former Connacht star about the call-up on Tuesday.

“He’s like a young kid again. In Mayo growing up you want to play senior for Mayo and Ireland and he’s the chance to do both now.”

Brady, who returned to play for Galwegians, said: “Whether it’s one minute, 70 minutes or whatever Gavin Duffy plays for Mayo this summer, I don’t think that’s what he’ll be judged on.

“I’m sure there was a little bit more energy from the players on Tuesday because Gavin Duffy was on board. All the young lads would have seen him play for Connacht and Ireland.

“His presence will lift intensity and if there’s an improvement of 1% in Mayo’s performance level then James Horan’s decision to bring him in will be justified.

“Putting pressure on him to be another Colm Cooper or score 2-6 every game is unrealistic. He’s going to enjoy it, he’s a very fit young man and he’ll be able to make a contribution. He’s eager to make the most of this.”

Brady stressed Duffy is unlikely to be the answer to Mayo supporters’ prayers in the form of a top-class attacker.

“The bottom line is if you don’t have a marquee forward you don’t have a marquee forward. You have to accept it and get over it and develop what you do have.

“We don’t have a Colm Cooper. And we have to get used to that idea.

“If we want to win an All-Ireland it will be down to the panel that’s there at the minute. Throwing Gavin Duffy into the equation will add something to the Mayo panel but it will only bring so much.”

Brady can see former minor star Duffy accelerating his crossover from rugby by taking part in intense ball sessions.

“I’ve known him since we were kids and the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch will be of great benefit to Mayo. He is such a naturally talented athlete and it’s just a case of getting the Gaelic football back into his hands again and finding his lungs and legs for it.

“Kicking is the big one for him. If you’re an out-half or full-back you kick the ball a lot with the outside of the boot but if you do that all the time in Gaelic football you can look pretty silly. He will need practice and he’ll have to learn to go for the ball rather than in rugby when the ball comes to you. It’s a different train of thought you have to process. The ball is coming to you from all sorts of directions in rugby but you’ve to earn it in Gaelic football.”

Brady sees Duffy being able to bring a sense of calm to the Mayo group.

“James Horan made the phone call and said ‘if you want to get involved we’d love to see you in Castlebar’. He said there would be no pressure but Gavin would be very good with that anyway. He will bring a sense of professionalism and level-headedness. Sometimes in Mayo we can get carried away with occasions but that’s something Gavin is used to.”

Duffy told Brady of the parallels he recognised between Connacht and the Mayo set-up.

“What happens in Castlebar is the easy part. It’s the training done away from the sessions that’s the hardest.

“In fairness, the bar can’t go an awful lot higher in terms of the amount of time players give to it. You can always make improvements in techniques and ideas but the time devoted is close to professionalism.”