GAA Focus on Mayo 29 May 1996
Connaught Football Championship
Mayo embark on second phase of Maughan plan
By John Melvin
Phase One of John Maughan's plan for Mayo football, gaining promotion, has been achieved. He will unveil Phase Two (winning the Connaught title) when Mayo open their account in a preliminary round tie with London at Ruislip in the British capital on Sunday.
Mayo will be attempting to reclaim the title they last held in 1994 when they went under to Leitrim. They also went down last year in the final to Galway in Tuam.
Realistically, it is probably as much as they can hope to achieve this year, but even that not inconsiderable target may not be attained given the number of problems currently besetting the side. The injury list is a long as your arm. Liam McHale put a finger out but is hoping to make it, but there is no such hope for Tom Reilly, John Casey, Kevin O'Neill or Diarmuid Byrne while Ronan Golding has not been included in the panel for London. And the news that James Horan is under suspension, following a sending-off while playing for his club, is a further blow to a forward line which badly needs strengthening.
And while Mayo's sight will be firmly fixed on a semi-final clash with Roscommon at Hyde Park, injury-wracked Mayo could find the going tough enough against the London side who, as usual, have nothing to lose but everything to gain by winning even one championship match, a feat they accomplished just once when they beat Leitrim.
However, defeat is simply not on the agenda for Mayo. Were they to lose to London it would be catastrophic to say the least and seriously undermine Maughan's tenure as manager in just his first year. The post-mortem is likely to dwell on the level of performance, as victory does appear to be a foregone conclusion. John Maughan will hardly be preaching that type of gospel to his side as he strives to get the best out of them.
However, he has a very strong and experienced set of backs which should be able to contain the best London can throw at them. Team captain Noel Connelly is back to full fitness and the Holymount man along with James Nallen and Pat Holmes are expected to be the half back line on the team which was to be selected last night. Kevin Cahill and Kenneth Mortimer are also expected to be name but the corner back position does appear to be between Kevin Beirne, Garry Ruane and Dermot Flanagan as Fergal Costello has also been added to the injury list. Blunder
Despite that unfortunate blunder which gifted a goal to Joe Brolly in the National League semi-final, Flanagan's contribution to the league in general is unlikely to be forgotten and could be rewarded with his place for the championship. I'd have no argument against his selection as he still has the guile and experience Mayo need so badly at the moment.
David Brady, Liam McHale, Colm McMenamon and Pat Fallon are all looking for places at midfield. Young Brady has turned out to te be the most promising player, having stepped up from the under 21 ranks where he really came to prominence, and if McHale's injury rules him out, Brady could be partnering Colm McMenamon who has shown a welcome return to form. Fallon's experience could be deployed in the attack where problems still abound and where James Horan's absence and injures to Tom Reilly and John Casey has left management with a real headache when they sit down to name the six for starting duty.
One man that seems certain to be penciled in is Maurice Sheridan whose free-taking ability was badly missed when Mayo visited Croke Park for the league final.
There was no reliable free-taker on duty. Diarmuid Byrne was the nearest they were coming to good freetaker but I don't think there is another team in the country that does not have a steady placekicker. Sheridan has rarely let them down in this regard.
The match could also mark the debut of Knockmore's Declan Sweeney who could be handed the number fourteen shirt following some very impressive performances in a few challenge games. His club colleague, Ray Dempsey, following some indifferent form will hopefully have sharpened up his game as his contribution is going to be vital to Mayo's championship hopes.
Pat Fallon could be earmarked for one of the forward positions with David Nestor and Anthony Finnerty also likely to make the cut for this game, which is really a mere dip in the pond before they dive in at the deep end against Roscommon.
Lets just hope they are able to judge the depth of the water in London. After all, it is possible to drown in a bath but I have a feeling, John Maughan who has already arranged a training session for Dublin on Monday morning, will make sure they are all wearing life jackets.
Connaught Telegraph - News - May 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sports - May 1996
