Well as I am Mayo man I think I will have to start my first Blog with a topic about the Plain of the Yew Trees.
If you know anything about Mayo Football you will probably know by now that Mickey Moran has left his position as Mayo Manager, although a lot of controversy surrounds the exact reasons of his departure. Was he Pushed or did he walk himself? Its an interesting Question and may be one we may not find out for a long time.
At the County Board meeting Moran was apparently slated by some of the delegates on the board, his preparation for the Final has been questioned. Apparently himself and Morrison were just in the County twice in the week leading up to the Final, compare that to John O’ Mahoney’s preparation with Galway where he met with the players every day of the week leading up to the All Ireland Final. Morrison couldn’t cope with the criticism they were receiving at the meeting and walked out handing in his notice the following day.
Yes I think Mayo did crumble the day of the final and yes I agree the preparations if true was very poor, but I don’t believe that justifies sacking a man who brought us to the All Ireland in his first year, I think at least deserves one more shot at it!
People have it that it was a mutual agreement on both parts (County board and MM) to end Moran’s Mayo reign……..Or was he pushed??
Apparently The County Board now want a Mayo Man back in charge, with former Mayo Manager Pat Holmes and his U-21 joint selector Noel Connelly throwing their hats in the ring. So Holmes thinks he can win Sam this time, I don’t agree with Holmes going back in charge, he couldn’t do it before what’s going to be different this time. I couldn’t understand how he was made manager last time a man with no previous experience.
Liam Mchale as well he was on the Mayo Selectors team in 2004 whom witnessed our first all Ireland humiliation to Kerry this century thinks he deserves a crack. Interesting how he thought the loss in 2006 was worse than the one in 2004, what do you mean Liam just cause you were not in the selection panel this time? He said he reckoned when he was leaving croke park he knew heads would role for this!! So I suppose heads did’nt role in 2004 and if not why not?? Maughan got another year after that why shouldn’t Moran this time? Mchale another Man that should be wrote off!!
Right after all that lets look at whom I think should be in contention for the Mayo Managerial position?
- John O Mahoney, Like all Mayo fans I would love to see JohnO back at the helm he is just a legend and he proved it with Galway. Mayo County Board slipped up there big time! But maybe his Political ambitions may come in the way or will they work hand in hand and compliment each other!
- Paidi O Se, Cant argue with this mans record 2 All Irelands in his coaching career with Kerry throw in a few League titles and munster titles oh and don’t forget that Leinster Championship with West-Meath. Only thing is how much will his travelling expenses cost Mayo. Lets just put it this way West Meath released a few weeks ago they are currently 600,000 euros in debt.
- Jack O’Connor, Well he is available now and he has won a few All Irelands, Masterminded a great tactical win against Mayo in the All Ireland Final, in fairness if Liam Mchale and Pat Holmes are being considered then so should this lad!
- My last nomination is a bit of a open book, If we want a Mayo Man in charge why don’t we select a Man who has achieved something with in the County and has a few years experience of coaching teams, why not look at the Crossmolina or Ballina Manager ahead of these Holmes and Mchales, Mayo must move forward not back.
So there you go my rant over we all know this could take a while to be sorted out knowing the Mayo County Board (I am not a big fan).
So Mayo’s hunt for a new Manager continues? Who do you think should be the next Mayo Manager?
having to deal with senior players on the panel whome holmes had played with at the end of his playing career who were not overly enthusiastic.
remember mayo were on a major downer at the end of the maughan bebacle (losing two all irelands when mayo were actually the best team in the country, without the services of kevin o niell, peter butler and other top players who were emitted from the team for whatever stupid reason maughan determined.) and holmes had to pick up the pieces.
the young talent we see today was not there for holmes and therefore he had to revert to older campaigners who were past their prime. also the young talent he did introduce had to be blooded in and that took some time.
ultimatly the thing that hurt holmes the most was the players failing to come through on the big day. eg connacht final against the ros in 2001, a game that mayo had in the bag, and the following year against galway in which the game was there for the taking but mayo failed to score from good chances. both games were lost on the field and not on the sideline.
managment is a job that requires skills on many levels and those skills have to be developed through experience. as a rookie manager holmes had a decent track record but the 2007 holmes is a lot wiser and has a winning record.
combine this with the talent available to him right now (and thats including the inspiration and knoledge noel connelly will contribute) and i think the time is right for holmes to make a lot of mayo fans happy.
What you think about the Players Dream Team then? O Mahoney, Holmes and Carney!! Once again i think it all depends on JohnO
--Admin
--jruddy
