Mayo/Meath All-Ireland Final re-play Preview

Connaught Telegraph

GAA News 25 September 1996


MAYO WILL REACH SUMMIT OF TARA WITH FINAL PUSH

by Sports Editor
John Melvin

If someone told me in London last June that I would be writing a second All Ireland preview before September was out, I would have told that person that they would never be short of a bed in any of the psychiatric hospitals that are dotted around this island. But sure, even Thomas was a doubter, and they made a Saint of him. Now, I'm not looking for sainthood, but I'll settle for a knighthood if Mayo win on Sunday, so after Sunday, you can address me as Sir John Melvin.

Now, nobody in London did come out with such a statement, but here I am, before September has given way October, writing a second All Ireland preview.

At 4.55 p.m. on Sunday week last, I did not think that would be possible, indeed necessary. But as we have seen in this years Bank of Ireland championship, anything is possible. It is a learning experience for us all.

And it is what Mayo have learned from their experience the last day, that will stand to them next Sunday in the re-play against Meath? I think we have all learned a lot. We have learned that Meath are not the invincible force they would have us believe they are; they are not the dirty team they are being made out to be in some sections of the media; and in the psychical stakes Mayo, unlike Tyrone, can take care of themselves. Above all, we learned that Mayo can still win this All Ireland. If they couldn't they wouldn't be still in it.

Failing to rally

Mayo supporters have been accused of failing to rally behind the team when they needed them most-in the last ten minutes of the drawn game. Yes, Mayo supporters were strangely mute.

Shouting in a graveyard was something they were never encouraged to do, and Croke Park resembled a graveyard in the last ten minutes of the drawn mach as Meath began to bury a few myths about their premature demise.

Suffering is nothing new to Mayo supporters. When you lose by twenty points it kind of runs off like water. But it can at times be still hard to take it, especially when you see a six point lead being eaten away like a cancer. My own belief is that Mayo supporters were so stunned they were left speechless.

But, in fairness, a lot of them had emptied their lungs up to that point. I would say when Ray Dempsey found the net, a sound barrier in Croke Park must have reached decibels that could be heard in Belmullet. If Noel Connelly lifts Sam, the roof could may well come off the Hogan Stand. Holding your breath for 45 years can lead to a lot of energy being built up and I expect that energy will be released in Croke Park around 4.55 on Sunday evening.

Pitfalls

So what have Mayo to do the next day? What can they take from the drawn game and turn to their advantage next Sunday? Where are the pitfalls that are to be avoided?

Well the first thing is for manager John Maughan to have his team focused again. That will not be easy. But two weeks will have elapsed and knowing the professional and disciplined approach he has taken all season, I have no doubt he will have whipped them back into shape both mentally and psychically.

Maughan make a very good point during the week on a local radio interview. He discounted any suggestion that the team had a blow it the last day. He dwelt on the positive aspects, pointing out one of the most important facts; Mayo were the best team overall in the drawn game. Played the better football; They still are the best team and they will return to Croke Park knowing they were the best team. That can count for a lot.

It is also worth noting that for a first time appearance in an All Ireland final for twelve of the team, they did extremely well. A lot of people had to wait 45 years to get back into an All Ireland. These lads will have been in two in a fortnight and they will have gained in confidence and learned much from their first experience.

At time of writing neither team had been selected. The starting fifteen that both Sean Boylan and John Maughan decide on will be very interesting. I don't expect either manager to make any dramatic, if any changes at all. Maughan may well decide to stick with the attacking formation on the basis that a better quality of service will come the next day. He has options in P.J. Loftus, the most impressive of the three subs, while Pat Fallon must have been on the edge of the bench at one stage in the drawn game. The pressure will not be as intense on John Casey in the pivotal role at full forward. Casey was on an outstanding full back in Darren Fay while David Nestor's pace will have to be exploited.

James Horan, Maurice Sheridan, Ray Dempsey and Colm McManamon are all virtually certain to start, with Sheridan and Horan likely to switch again. A more sustained effort from the entire attack will be needed. McMenamon started so well the last day but his strength and ball carrying ability was sorely missed and he will have to pace himself better and hold back for the stages when Meath apply the pressure.

Proven midfield

Mayo go in knowing they have a proven midfield. Is it asking Liam McHale too much to turn in another superb performance? And will David Brady up his game just another gear? If the two hit the right heights and control the game in the same manner as they did for almost sixty minutes the last day, Mayo will be ahead at the end.

Can our backs perform with the same level of determination again? Certainly Kenneth Mortimer, who switched with Flanagan, Cahill, Flanagan were exceptional. Ray Connelly did a superb job on Tommy Dowd and Pat Holmes had the game of his life.

Maughan is likely to pull James Nallen out of his regular position and if the defence can close down the likes of Graham Geraghty, Trevor Giles, Tommy Dowd and Brendan Reilly, then Meath will not score enough to get over the finishing line first.

John Madden will have to concentrate more on his kick out and be careful when wandering out to take those frees. The last thing we want is the house going on fire and no one at home to put it out.

From Meath's perspective, Sean Boylan, will be looking for huge improvements in a number of sectors. The Meath manager will be looking for a lot more from his forwards who were kept under wraps by Mayo's tight defence. He will also be asking a lot more from McDermott and McGuinness at midfield while his half back is likely to get a few lashes for their poor performance.

However, he will be hoping Martin O'Connell, Darren Fay and Mark O'Reilly perform to the same level of proficiency, which was of an exceptionally high standard on the last occasion.

That is the area Mayo must put under pressure and win more ball from. The Meath full back line won far too much possession.

Close finish

Another close finish is anticipated. It is all about Mayo reaching the same high levels of efficiency again, sustaining that level and being able to take the knocks and dish them out.

They have done it already. There is no reason why they won't do it again. It will once again be all about who will be first to the ball, who can hold their heads under pressure, the quality of passing, which was not great on the last occasion, and the ability to take the right options, especially under pressure.

Mayo, you have done us proud so far. Now go and do yourself proud with one final push for Sam who is waiting for collection on the summit of the Hill of Tara.



Connaught Telegraph - News - September 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - September 1996