Every generation is exhorted to 'keep going' - few do it like Mayo
DRIVE: Kobe McDonald of Mayo celebrates a score
NO, said Ryan O’Donoghue. The hooter was not an ending; it was an interruption to an ongoing obsession. This was a day to keep chasing, keep hitting, keep shooting. This team may have golden promise. Mayo want more.
The number 14 orchestrated a majestic display that had already included 40 possessions and 1-9, but when the chance was there to make it 1-11, why not reach for it?
With his 12th effort of the afternoon, he sized up a two-point free that had been awarded just before the hooter, backed the celebrating Kobe McDonald and Cian McHale out of his way and stroked it home. Stewards, matchday photographers and backroom team members were already encroaching onto the pitch and he did not care. At every juncture, in every play, this is a group hard-wired to hunt a score.
As both teams emerged for the opening semi-final, the lesson of the day was already evident courtesy of a breathless curtain-raiser. Wicklow rose from the ashes of a 13-point deficit to clinch a fairytale Tailteann Cup. They demonstrated in a glorious burst how to dig in, refuse submission and keep going. Make mistakes. Make more. Dig deeper.
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What truly is a lost cause? When does it become lost? The question has been pondered by philosophers and defied teams across this championship. As this magnificent season has repeatedly shown, the mountain of deficit is almost irrelevant as long as you continue to believe.
Bane wondered what would break first, the spirit or the body. Mayo and Wicklow illustrated exactly how far spirit can stretch.
A game might not be gone, but it can feel gone if one side surrenders to it. While Wicklow’s resurrection was spearheaded by a Man of the Match display from veteran Dean Healy, the scale of redemption elsewhere was staggering.
Goalkeeper Mark Jackson had missed two 45s and a free in the first half. He was at fault for both goals. Yet, he emerged for the second half to nail a clutch two-point free in the dying minute to draw them level for the first time.
Malachy Stone was at the heart of a besieged defence early on, then produced a crucial strip-tackle on Shane Annett and a tightrope dance along the sideline to retain possession when they were down to 14 men. Every generation, at every grade, is exhorted to keep going. Few truly do it like the victors on Saturday did.
19-year-old Darragh Beirne started his first semi-final with a wild kickout into the hands of Louth goalkeeper Niall McDonnell; another shot dropped short and a goal chance blasted right down the middle. Two minutes before the break, he tried a speculative effort on his right foot that skied up again.
As Jordan Flynn fought valiantly for the break and Sam Callinan collected it, Beirne kept his legs moving. He looped off the shoulder and struck with his right foot again. This time, the net rippled and The Hill bounced in unbridled ecstasy. Did he drink it in? Of course. This is an outfit centred on availing of that one opening.
Look at Kobe McDonald. Look at the words that seemed to be inscribed on his wrist: 1 chance. To some cynical minds, that could be seen as a burden. One chance, one final throw of the dice to make an All-Ireland final before he departs to the AFL Down Under. To this talent’s mind, it is a privilege. All he needs is one.
He mixed genius with blunders. That is what happens when you are willing to attempt audacious things. After five minutes, Conor Early kicked a wayward ball across the field for Paul Towey to intercept. Immediately, he kicked to the inside line.
McDonald broke towards the ball while O’Donoghue steered towards him. Rather than collect and pop, McDonald simply flicked it into his path. That allowed O’Donoghue to chip it up on the run as he created an angle for goal and slotted it past the outrushing goalkeeper.
When McDonnell put Daire Nally under suffocating pressure with a short kickout, McDonald stepped in and flicked it up. Again. Two players refusing to bend their back in the big house. Playing with a gallant freedom that invigorates a fanbase.
They earn that space with their industry. When O’Donoghue’s attempt at a score from a sideline drifted infield, he harried and hassled until Conor Grimes was forced to cough up possession and concede a free. This is their identity now.
“Well, I think every team has a personality,” said manager Andy Moran afterwards.
“We are trying to get that back into us. There is no point having forwards like Cian McHale, misses a 13-yarder and I think he dummies the man for the next one to kick it over the bar. There is no point having that sort of forward if you are not going to give him the freedom to go and kick. There is freedom there but they know that themselves.”
The blend of youth and experience carried them through. It was evident across the board. Yes, this is a rejuvenated group. It is also a group that had seven players who were there in 2021 when they last won a semi-final.
Another handful of them didn’t even get on. One of the first figures to sweep McDonald off his feet in a bear-hug embrace was Aidan O’Shea. The last player to congratulate him as he headed down the tunnel was Louth’s Ciaran Byrne, who has already lived his Australian adventure.
In his post-match press conference, Stephen Coen was perched alongside Moran. He lauded the composure and fearlessness of their emerging generation. He wanted to divert credit to the youngsters. His manager wanted to train the spotlight back on him. They all want to strive for each other.
“In fairness to the young fellas, they are very good at asking questions,” said Moran.
“Very good at knowing their role within the group. The likes of Stevie, he was a bit dismissive of himself. These guys have a huge role. We knew today coming into it, we had the experience in the room that has played in All-Ireland semi-finals.
“Stevie, Aidan (O’Shea), Diarmuid (O’Connor), they really helped the guys moving into that. Again, to explain, do they have the freedom? These guys give them the freedom to make a mistake and not be f’ed out of it. To say, ok. We know you have a good talent, a unique talent.
“Go and use it.”
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