Category: News

An Interview with Kevin McStay, Mayo U-21 manager and former Mayo Senior Footballer

Congratulations on your superb Hastings Cup win! Did you expect the team to do so well in the competition?
Yes

What do you think are the chances of the U-21’s winning the All Ireland this year or in the next few years?
Quite good this year – probabaly better next year. Unfortunately getting out of the Province is very difficult every year.

Who do you believe are the key players in your U-21 team which could have a vital role to play in the Mayo Senior team in the near future?
David Clarke, MJ Meenaghan, Ronan Loftus , James Gill and all the forwards have possibilities. But it is very difficult to be definitive – ones you expect often disappoint, injury , etc

How do you rate Crossmolinas chances on St. Patrick’s day?
Very highly – they will win by a few points if they don’t freeze and as they are a mature team that is very unlikely. They have NO Under 21s so you can see how experienced they are.

Do you believe the Mayo championship is strong enough to keep producing clubs which will challenge for the All Ireland Club Championship yearly in the future?
Definitely – just look at the recent record; Castlebar, Knockmore, Ballina and now Crossmolina

The Mayo Senior Team are doing very well in the League. Do you believe there will be many changes in the squad which will feature in the championship panel?
Very few as Pat will have to show faith in a squad that has progressed fairly well

How do rate Mayo’s chances in the All Ireland this year and do you think Mayo are capable of getting Sam back in the next 5 years?
Not great this year but in about three years or so there will be alot of very talented players around
the scene.

There is a lot of concern about Mayo’s run in the League, for example Derry did very well in it last year but they were flops in the Championship. Do you think Mayo may suffer the same hangover?
Nobody knows for sure how the new championship will pan out but Mayo will be in for a difficult time against Sligo and then possibly a difficult draw if they were to lose to them.

How do you rate Mayo Minors chances of bringing home the bacon this year?
No idea

Who in your honest opinion do you believe will be All Ireland Champions 2001 and why?
Galway – they will have JA Fallon back and that was all they were missing this year.

Thanks very much Kevin for your time.

 

Apologies to my readers!
I would like to extend my apologies to my loyal and dedicated sports readers for my delay in bringing you the latest sports news, due to post Christmas exams I have been very busy studying and have been unable to get the time to fit in both “The Ruddy Report” and my revision. But this week I will make amends by bringing you a bumper packed “Ruddy Report” .
So sit back and enjoy!!!

Ladies National Football League
Monaghan 2-8
Mayo 1-7
Mayo Ladies Football got a well-deserved defeat in Monaghan. The Ulster Champions made it clear to Mayo that they will have to work hard to retain their double this coming year. Mayo did go into the game missing Helena Lohan, Rachael Barrett and Claire Egan due to a variety of reasons. By half time Mayo were trailing the home side by one point. Diane O’Hora clinched a superb goal for the Mayo Ladies, and also contributing to Mayo’s first half points tally were Sabrina Bailey, Cora Staunton and Diana O’ Hora herself.
Cora Staunton brought the sides level midway through the second half with a well taken point. Cora Staunton and Diana O’Hora’s scoring threat wasn’t enough to keep up with Monaghan; the best efforts from Niamh Lally, Nuala Ni She , Assumpta Bohan, Marcella Heffernan, Sabrina Bailey and Orla Casby were not good enough on the day for Mayo to sneak into the lead.
Monaghan on the other hand netted a second goal, took their point from a penalty kick and scored a late point to wrap things up for the Ulster Champions.

Allianz National Football League Division 1B
Mayo 2-14
Clare 1-9
Mayo went top of Division 1 B after giving Clare a whipping at McHale Park, Castlebar. Apologies to any Clare supporters reading this but a “whipping” is what Clare got!
Clare were playing with no purpose or style, their pattern of football was all over the place. On the other hand Mayo were playing with a bit of style and were moving forward with the ball nearly all the time. The Forwards were exceptional with Maurice Sheridan looking very impressive in his first start in a Mayo shirt since the defeat to Cork in the All Ireland Semi Final in 1999, as were Stephen Carolan and Micheal Moyles.
Carolan played a superb game scoring 1-3, Micheal Moyles who came on as a sub in the first half scored 1-2. Mayo went into the game with a job to do and like any other dedicated worker they had it done by half time. To put it one way Clare’s football was brutal: Pat Spillane would say that it’s Junior Level, but taking no credit away from the defence who also played a great game with Kevin Cahill, Aidan Higgins and Alan Roche dealing with everything superbly. Colm Mcmanamon and David Brady along with Michael Coleman, who was taken off prematurely, had a lot of possession in the middle of the field. The forwards were so spoiled with ball supply that they were leading by 1-7 to 0-5 at half time. Stephen Carolan scored Mayo’s first goal after 4 minutes with a superb finish. Four points from Maurice Sheridan with Trevor Mortimer, James Gill and Micheal Moyles adding the others. Clare snatched scores wherever they could get them basically. Denis Russell tacked on two frees while Ger Quinlan and Ger Keane added a couple more but it was scant consolation.
In the second half Mayo did some extreme damage by getting a goal and 5 points in succession and it left Clare crawling behind. David McDonagh, Micheal Moyles and Stephen Carolan (3) all drilled over points from a variety of angles and distances as the lead was swollen to double figures. Micheal Moyles made up the crowds mind that they had seen enough when he fired in a goal that left Clare shattered and wishing they were on their way home on the N17.
Trailing 2-12 to 0-6 Clare had nothing else to play for but pride. They brought on some subs and started to put some scores on the board. Des Molohan, Ger Keane and Denis Russell all scored points and then midfielder David Russell scored a goal which somehow went under Peter Burke. James Gill and Maurice Sheridan wrapped things up for Mayo with two points. It’s a good job they have dual carriage ways on their way to Clare or it would have been long trip home for the men from the banner county.

Genfitt Connaght Colleges Senior A Football Championship Quarter Final Results
Carrick On Shannon 2-10 St Colmans, Claremorris 0-9
Ballyhaunis Community School 1-7 St Nathys College, Ballaghaderreen 0-8
St Jarlaths College, Tuam 5-15 Balinrobe Community School 0-6
O’Mara Cup Round 1 Results
Mayo Gaels 0-9 Ballinrobe 0-5
Garrymore 2-11 Claremorris 1-7
Hollymount 0-10 Davitts 0-7
Carramore 1-10 Kilmaine 0-6

Allianz National Football League Preview
Sligo vs Mayo
Mayo will travel to Markievicz Park this Sunday to take on Sligo in the Allianz NFL.
Pat Holmes will go head to head with ex-colleagues Peter Ford and T.J Kilgannon, and last weeks win over Sligo in the FBD Connaght League will mean nothing this Sunday. Revenge will be on the cards for it was last year in the same competition that Sligo defeated Mayo, and this gave the Yeats county a boast in morale which no doubt had a part to play in the next meeting between the sides in the Connaght Championship. Both teams are doing quiet well in the League, which will add an edge to this epic encounter. Fergal Costello and Noel Connelly, who missed the Clare match, will both be available for selection. Colm McManaman will be a worry after hurting his ankle in a 50-50 with Eamon O Hara against Clare. Crossmolina have made available four players including James Nallen, Tom Nallen, Peader Gardiner and Micheal Moyles. Kieran McDonald is not expected to play.
Three members of the U-21 squad are expected to feature: James Gill, Martin McNicholas and Trevor Mortimer. These three will be playing on Saturday in the Connaght U-21 Championship opener with Roscommon. Mayo should be strong enough to keep their 100% record. So I Predict a Mayo Win.

Mayo Senior Football Championship Odds
Last week the draw was made for the Mayo Senior Championship and these are some of the odds a bookmaker gave!
Crossmolina 5/2
Ballina 3/1
Castlebar 6/1
Knockmore 6/1
Hollymount 6/1
Swinford 8/1
Kiltane 8/1
Charlestown 8/1
Burrishoole 10/1
West Mayo 12/1

AIB All Ireland Club Football Championship Semi Final
Crossmolina went to Brewster Park in Enniskillen on Sunday last to go one step further than they did last year. A large following headed up from Crossmolina to follow their local Football team as they have all year. Bellaghy, who have got to the Semi Finals by playing some good football, decided to mix it with the Connaght Champions but the boys from Mayo, as ever, were well capable of matching them. Crossmolina refused to let their football suffer and played a nice fair game, although Bellaghy tried their best to vex the men from North Mayo.
Crossmolina controlled the game from the Throw-in and gave Bellaghy a limited number of chances. The first half was more of a physical battle than anything with both teams trying to put their foot down, although the method Bellaghy were using was letting their football suffer. Pat McAndrew finished off a rampage in front of the Bellaghy goal and smashed a loose ball into the back of the net. Beforehand Joe Keane, James Nallen, Peader Gardiner, Johnny Leonard and Micheal Moyles all notched up scores. At half time it was 1-5 to 0-4 in the Deel Rovers Favour. Gavin Diamond scored 3 points for the Derry men and looked capable of scoring more. Things began to get dirty in the second half with Bellaghy putting in vicious challenges, which the ref let go too many times.
Crossmolina stood firm but Gavin Diamond scored two consecutive points for the Derry men. To the delight of the Crossmolina contingent, in stepped Kieran McDonald but after a missed free Kick and a misplaced pass the crowd were having second thoughts. Liam Moffat ended Crossmolina’s goal drought with a well taken point in the 52nd minute. The Kieran McDonald scored his first point to put a bit of a gap between the teams. Tom Nallen, Damien Mulligan and Francis Costello were all kept busy in the backs. Kieran McDonald then confirmed Crossmolina’s place in the Final with a 45-yard kick.
Next are Cork’s Nemo Rangers who beat Castlebar in ’94.
Prediction: If the Deel Rovers don’t do it this year they won’t for a long time to come.

Hastings Cup U-21 Football Final
This is the method which Kevin McStay chose to prepare his team for the Championship which starts next week. Whether his commitment to this method pays off we will have to wait until Saturday next to find out. Mayo U-21’s travelled to Micheal Fay Park in Longford to take on the All- Ireland Champions in the Final of the Hastings Cup. Tyrone fielded a team consisting of a bulk of the members who won National medals last season, plus one Senior, so Mayo knew they had a tough match in front of them. The last time these teams met they drew in a hard fought game in Omagh.
Tyrone took advantage of Mayo’s disastrous start to the game through Eoin Mulligan and Aidan Lynch. Mayo were not winning balls in Midfield, not making space in attack and conceding frees in Midfield. Trevor Mortimer scored Mayo’s only first Quarter score from a free. Tyrone defended well and gave Mayo as little space as possible, which forced Mayo to take their chances, and most of them were wides. Mayo began to work around this obstacle and Breaffy’s Marty McNicholas scored a beauty of a point after 16 minutes and James gill followed up with a long-range effort, which closed the gap to 1 point. But the Tyrone forwards were not lying down and Mulligan stretched the lead with two points from free kicks followed up by Ryan Mellon’s point.
Mayo’s Conor Mortimer responded with 3 points to bring the gap back to minimum. Mayo were trailing 6 points to 7 points at half time. In the second half Mayo tore into the opposition, although Tyrone’s Eoin Mulligan pointed straight away from the throw-in but it did not deter the Mayo men. McNicholas and Trevor Mortimer hit beauties from 30 yards and Trevor’s brother Conor hit two. A Lynch Free Kick for Tyrone slowed things down temporarily but James Gill drove a massive point to leave two between the teams. Lynch added another free for the Tyrone Boys but McNicholas replied to put Mayo even clearer. Tyrone began to respond with Mullin and Lynch (2) all getting scores to put the Ulster men 1 point ahead. James Gill equalised with three minutes left, then Peter Donnelly seemed to have won it for the Ulster men on the stroke of Full Time until Shrule-Glencorrib’s Conor Mortimer sent the tie into extra time with a 35-yard free kick.
Tyrone began the opening half of extra time with three free- Kicks from Stephen O’Neill, but McNicholas and the Mortimer brothers made it 0-18 to 0-17 in Mayo’s favour at the break. O’Neill levelled matters soon after the break for the Tyrone men, Mayo’s defence consisting of Pat Kelly, Alan Moran and M.J. Meneghan began to get to grips with the opposition. Team Captain Ronan Loftus and Micheal Keane gave Mayo the initiative once more, but O’Neill fired home another free kick for Tyrone immediately after. Then Alan Dillion with the help of a short free kick from Loftus secured the Hasting’s Cup for Mayo for the first Time.

Connaght U-21 Football Championship Match Preview
This Saturday Mayo face Roscommon in the Championship opener at Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon. Three changes are made for the Hastings Cup Champions side with M.J. Meenaghan of Tourmakeady, Pat Kelly of Kilmaine and Micheal Keane of Balinrobe coming in, while Ronan Walsh, Enda Casey and Brian Maloney all drop down into the substitutes.
The knowledge of Roscommon’s team is minimal. John Hanley at Centre Half Forward, a Sigerson Cup player with UCD, seems to carry the biggest threat in the forwards for Roscommon. In Midfield they have Seamus O’Neill and Karl Mannion, two strong footballers not noted for their mobility. Stylish Fergal Carroll from Kilmore is captain of the team. Mayo should win this one comfortably.

2nd Round O’Mara Cup Results
The Neale 1-11 Balinrobe 0-9
Claremorris 2-5 Shrule/Glencorrib 1-8
Garrymore 0-17 Kilmaine 0-9
Mayo Gaels 2-14 Hollymount 1-6

SuperMacs Mayo Senior Football Championship Draw
Castlebar Mitchels vs South Mayo
Knockmore vs Ballinrobe
Ballina Stephenites vs Burrishoole
Charlestown vs Crossmolina
Garrymore vs Ballintubber
Moy Davitts vs Swinford
East Mayo vs Hollymount
Byes:
Kiltaine, Mayo Gaels, North Mayo, Davitts and West Mayo

Coming Soon to The Ruddy Report:

The Ruddy Interview

First up will be an Interview with the Mayo u-21 manager and former Mayo Senior Footballer
Kevin McStay.

This is your chance to participate – just email your questions to me at johnruddy@currane.net before the
30th January and I will put them to Kevin.

Hastings Cup (U-21 Football) Football Preview: Mayo Vs Tyrone
This Saturday Mayo U-21’s face their toughest test this season with a long trip up to Omagh to play defending All Ireland Champions Tyrone. This will be a hard match for Mayo and will test their strength of character, particularly as several of their most important players are missing including Shrule/Glencorribs Trevor Mortimer, Billy Padden and Micheal Webb are also doubtful.
The fact that Kevin McStay was involved in a car accident recently means their most instrumental person injured. Mayo have kept themselves busy over the Christmas period training very hard and after already defeating Leitrim and Donegal they should be looking good for this game.
With all the injuries there will be a lot of new players in for contention, including Paul Finnerty, Sean Grimes, James Gill, Alan Dillion, and Micheal Keane. Mayo manager Kevin McStay believes this game will be an important one for Mayo as it will determine where they stand in comparison to the best team in the country at the moment!!
Prediction: Mayo have been playing well lately but this is the reigning All Ireland Champions and with players missing we will be asking a lot for them to win, but I have stuck by Mayo all year and they haven’t let me down yet so I’ll hope for a Mayo win!

FBD Connaght League Preview: Mayo (Seniors) Vs Leitrim
Mayo head off this Sunday to Carrick on Shannon to start off their FBD Connaght League Campaign for the year 2001. Mayo are believed to be heading there with a fairly strong squad with a few U-21 players missing (Marty McNicholas, Ronan Loftus, James Gill, Sean Grimes and Paul Coady) due to an U-21 Fixture on the Saturday. They will only be missing Peter Burke and Trevor Mortimer through injury and they will also be missing their Crossmolina contingent as they are holidaying in the canaries. Mayo are supposedly enjoying their second week on weight training this year and looked very good in a challenge match last week when they thrashed Tralee IT.

The game begins at 2pm in Carrick on Shannon.

Prediction: Should be an easy one for Mayo: although they’re missing a lot of players they should win this well.

Your View

Apologies are extended to my readers of this section but I am unable this week to bring you “Your View” due to examinations which I have been studying for and start this week coming but don’t worry “Your View” will be back soon.

Hastings Cup (U-21 Football) First Round
Mayo 3-16
Donegal 1-6

In Ballina last Saturday (9/12/2000) a promising Mayo U-21 side convincingly brushed aside a much weaker Donegal outfit.
Although Mayo did win very well their defence was criticised and will need to tighten up before the first round of the Championship. The Midfield was satisfactory but the Forwards got most of the credit (and why not with the score as high as it was).
Marty McNicholas, Brian Maloney and Micheal Keane tortured the opposition defence. Billy Joe Padden distributed the ball well and Ronan Loftus made good use of it, scoring 1-8.
The Mayo team is very strong but like any other they need to sharpen up and the Hastings Cup is ideal for this. Micheal Keane had the ball in the Donegal net in the first minute thanks to Marty McNicholas and Brian Maloney. Keane struck again with a goal goal moments later, again helped by Brian Maloney.
Donegal replied with a goal on 10 minutes courtesy of Martin Caulfield, and the two sides continued to exchange scores, Mayo’s Defence looking very weak. Peader Easpey pointed for Donegal after 12 minutes. Then Mayo replied with 5 points without reply, Ronan Loftus scoring 3 of them and Brian Maloney and Sean grimes getting the other two.
Donegal scored 3 points before the break, Martin Caulfield with 2 and Gareth Blake with 1. Mayo replied through Billy Joe Padden and Brian Maloney and at half time the score stood at 2-7 to 1-4 in the home side’s favour.
Donegal’s Brendan Boyle dislocated his shoulder early in the second half and the game was delayed for 10 minutes. This loss was undoubtedly a big factor in Mayo’s big win. Soon after this Ronan Loftus struck a goal for the home side and although Donegal got back two points courtesy of Martin Caulfield, Mayo scored a further 9 points thanks to Ronan Loftus (4), Micheal Keane, Micheal Webb, Stephen Healy, Marty McNicholas and Brian Maloney.
Mayo: P. Tiernan, P. Finnerty, E. Casey, A. Moran, M.J. Meneaghan, S. Grimes, I. Knight, P. Kelly, M. Webb (0-1), R. Loftus (1-8), B.J. Padden (0-1), C. Lyons, M. McNicholas (0-1), Brian Maloney (0-3), M. Keane (2-1). Subs: P. Coady, S. Healy (0-1), E. Casey, T. Naughton, K. Kelly, K. Duignan, L. Brady.
Mayo take on Leitrim in the second round of the Hastings Cup this Saturday. Manager Paul McStay will be missing all the Galway NUI players due to Sigerson Cup Duty.

My View

Welcome to our second edition of My View. My Mail box was chocker-blocked with e-mails this week about last weeks topics and I apologise if I do not mention you all.

Firstly the topic of the National League. I got numerous e-mails on this, but I’ll just mention one from Stan (an obsessed fan of the Ruddy Report). To cut his e-mail short, he believed that the National League should be re-structured so it is like a soccer league and not the way it is with the top two of each division from 1A – 4B competing in a knockout competition. I tend to agree with you Stan. P.S. Sorry I didn’t reply sooner mate!

Second Topic Mayo. In last weeks edition I said that Mayo have been making great strides since they lost to Sligo last summer in the Connaght championship. Well I got an e-mail from Bob the Builder and he believes Mayo are fixing their troubles quite well in all fairness and he thinks that we should be booking our All Ireland tickets, and maybe Sam will make a visit this Autumn.

I would also like to mention an e-mail I got from some boys from the Bahamas who wanted to know WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?????

This week’s Topic: Should we knock the Hill???? I saw this week what Croke Park is proposed to look like when they eventually finish the development and I was amazed to see that the Hill was still there. I know there is a lot of history with it and I heard someone say it was like the Kop – well look what happened to that! I SAY KNOCK IT – we can’t stay in the past for ever and we can’t have a complete top class stadium with that lump of rubble there.

C’MON HAVE YOUR SAY, E-MAIL ME!!
So if you have anything to say on these three topics please don’t be shy, your opinions are all welcomed just e-mail me at johnruddy@currane.net and put “MY VIEW” in the Subject area.

 

Allianz National Football League Division 1B Match Report
Mayo 1-17
Derry 1-7
At Fr O’Hara Park last Sunday Derry came to play Mayo in the NFL. Derry, who were expected to field a strong team for this crunch tie, arrived with a team of inexperienced newcomers and to top it all they had only 16 players who were prepared to play! Looking on these facts from last Sunday’s game it is hard to believe that they are the present holders of this Competition.
Derry were well and truly punished for their poor attention to this match! By the 30th minute of the match Mayo had scored 1-9 with out reply, and at this stage you could safely say Mayo had won the match. Although it is true that Mayo’s opposition were poor, Mayo did deal with them impressively. Mayo’s back line was very good once again with Ray Connelly, Noel Connelly, Kevin Cahill and Fergal Costello showing well, and they were very disciplined, giving away minimal free-kicks.
Colm McManaman and David Brady continue to impress, Brady especially as he had played 80 minutes with Ballina in the All Ireland Rugby League 24 hours earlier. Mayo’s forwards were the most impressive on Sunday with Marty McNicholas, James Gill and David Nestor all having a good game. Mayo’s work rate in the forwards was excellent with the forwards notching up 1-8 among them.
Mayo began the match well with a scatter of points in the first 15 minutes from Com McManaman, Ronan Loftus(free), David Nester, Trevor Mortimer and Marty McNicholas and the impressive thing was they were all good scores. Then came David Nester’s impressive goal with the help of Trevor Mortimer, Fergal Costello and Marty McNicholas. Ronan Loftus(free), Substitute Stephen Carolan, Marty McNicholas and James Gill added the other scores. It wasn’t until the 33rd minute that Derry replied to Mayo with a Paddy Bradley free-kick and a Paul Murphy point on the run. That rounded up the first-half and left the score at 1-11 to 0-2, leaving the gap at 12 points.
In the second half Mayo were not as focused at times and Derry took advantage with Conleth Gilligan notching up a number of scores to narrow the gap slightly, but Mayo woke up and David Brady and David McDonagh scored points in response and David Nestor and Marty McNicholas added 2 more scores.
The last Quarter saw the crowd of 2000 spectators begin to leave and the gang that hung around were as well to have gone too. Derry’s Ronan Rocks beat Mayo Goalkeeper Fergal Kelly and Derry followed that with a few more points but it was all too late. Micheal Coleman rounded it up for Mayo with a very impressive score. One bad thing that came out of the match was Ray Connelly’s leg injury.
Mayo:
F. Kelly, R. Connelly, K Cahill, A. Higgins, F. Costello, A. Roche, N. Connelly, C. McManaman (0-1), D Brady (0-1), M. McNicholas (0-3), D McDonagh (0-1), J. Gill (0-2), R. Loftus (0-3f’s), T. Mortimer (0-1), D. Nestor (1-3).
Subs:
S. Carolan (0-1) for Mortimer (inj), M. Sheridan for Loftus, M. Coleman (0-1) for Brady, R. Hannick for R. Connelly (inj)

My View

New to the Ruddy Report, “My View” is a section for comment and opinion – controversial and otherwise. I will give you my opinion on the pressing issues of the day and you can tell me I’m a hero/wrong/stupid/off my trolley or whatever. If you have a question or an opinion on something (in sport) then you can have your say here.

New York
I am going to start this section off with the story that has been in the papers this week about New York GAA holding a Connaught Senior Football Championship match. New York entered the Championship in 1999 when they travelled to Castlebar to play Mayo (Connaught Champions 1999) in the First Round, putting up a good display (not disgracing themselves). Last year New York travelled to Galway (Connaught Champions 2000) to play the First Round and once again they put up a decent display. In the two years New York have travelled across the Atlantic to play the Connaught Champions of that year and if that doesn’t have a bad effect on the team then take into account that their most impressive players did not travel to both these games. My conclusion to this is if London are allowed play their home games in Ruislip I think it’s time a Connaught Senior Football Championship Match was played in Gaelic Park, New York. So what do you think?

Mayo
Would you believe after such a bad run in the Connaught Championship last year that Mayo would respond with a very impressive run in the League. 3 wins out of 3! Fermanagh away, Laois away and Derry at home. Holmes has brought in a few new players into the squad with great effect, the confidence is back in the squad and although the last three games they played have not been very tough Mayo should still feel confident. Sligo, Meath, Cavan and Clare to play and with the confidence built a semi-final place beckons. If I was asked before the NFL started I would not have thought Mayo would have a chance of winning Connaght but look now! Mayo seem to be in with a shout and I think they will give Galway a run for their money. But if Mayo have a good run in the league will it affect their Championship? Look at Derry NFL champions 2000 and Derry then were rubbish in the Championship! So what do you think?

National Football League
The National Football League seems to be on its last legs! Answer me one question: if you were running a business and you weren’t getting a lot of custom what would you do?
A: Up the prices on your goods
B: Lower the prices on your goods
Well the bright sparks up in GAA HQ answered A!
With the NFL not being taking that seriously and Counties putting out their second teams (e.g. Derry last Sunday) not many spectators attend National League matches. So the GAA up the ticket price. I believe its ridiculous. What do you think?

Have your say!!!

So if you have anything to say on these three topics please don’t be shy, your opinions are all welcomed just e-mail me at johnruddy@currane.net and put “MY VIEW” in the Subject area.

 

 

Allianz National Football League Division 1B Match Report
Mayo 1-11 Laois 0-11
Mayo got a very hard earned two points last Sunday in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, having improved a lot from their clash against Fermanagh.
Their defence were superb showing no hesitancy at all. Kevin Cahill and Peter Burke get a special mention for their outstanding contribution, as do David Brady and Colm McManaman in Midfield, while in the Forwards four U-21’s were playing. James Gill was outstanding roaming all over the forward line as if he owned it and scoring an impressive five points.
Trevor Mortimer, although scoring null, played well in the forward line winning a lot of possession despite the ankle injury he is still carrying. Marty McNicholas was also very good, although he didn’t get as much possession as he did against Fermanagh, but he is very fast and took his score when the chance arose.
Ronan Loftus had a fairly quiet game, but he too got his name on the score board with the help of Stephen Carolan. James Nallen made an appearance midway through the second half replacing McDonagh and he played an important role in Mayo’s success.
Marty McNicholas opened the scoring for Mayo after 9 minutes with the help of Trevor Mortimer. Laois replied with a point two minutes later, though Mayo were playing the better football at this stage and Marty McNicholas and James Gill provided the build up to David Nestor’s goal in the 15th minute. James Gill and Nestor both scored points following the goal and Chris Conway(Laois), Martin Lawlor(Laois) and David Brady traded points.
The home side started to come back into the game with Chris Conway and Noel Garvan being very impressive. The score was at 1-4 to 0-4 in Mayo’s favour when Gill and Garvan swapped points and Nestor had a terrible miss.
In the second half Laois opened the scoring with Chris Conway hitting a point but Noel Connelly, who was outstanding, replied with a point. Laois began to put the pressure on in the last qaurter, Ian Fitzgerald and Roddy McEvoy scoring points which left only one point between the teams. Mayo answered back with Carolan setting up Loftus for a point which James Gill followed up with two more and Maurice Sheridan pointed a free when he came on as a sub for Loftus.
Laois were the dominant side in the last 10 minutes, scoring two points to narrow the gap, but James Gill converted a long range free to wrap things up.
Mayo:
P. Burke, R. Connelly, K. Cahill, F. Costello, N. Connelly(0-1), A. Roche, A. Higgins, C. McManaman, D. Brady(0-1), M. McNicholas(0-1), D. McDonagh, J. Gill(0-5), R. Loftus(0-1), T. Mortimer, D. Nestor(1-1)
Subs: S. Carolan for Mortimer, M. Sheridan(0-1) for Loftus, J. Nallen for McDonagh.

Allianz National Football League Division 1B Preview
This Sunday Mayo take on Derry at Fr O’Hara Park in Charlestown in the NFL. Mayo’s campaign cannot have gone better so far, with two away victories on the trot ,although Laois are probably the weakest team in the Division, and Mayo are on track for a Semi Final place. Mayo take on Derry with no injury worries, David McDonagh, Colm McManaman and Ronan Loftus are all expected to play. However Belmullet’s Stephen Carolan and Crossmolina’s James Nallen are both pushing for positions. Kevin O’Neill, a former All Star with Mayo, has withdrawn himself from the panel for this season and the chance of Kiearan McDonald starting is unclear.
Derry will be wanting to pick up all the points in Charlestown this Sunday. Although they defeated Laois in the first round unconvincingly, Derry lost to Clare last weekend by three points. Manager Eamon Coleman shouldn’t worry too much about that defeat as only 4 of the Derry team that won the league last season started the match, the rest were all newcomers. Derry are expected to strengthen their side this weekend.
Mayo must win in my opinion. Derry have defeated Mayo in their most recent encounters and I believe it is time Mayo turned the tables. Mayo are in great form and very confident so I am sticking my head out here and although it will be a close match, I predict a Mayo win.

GAA Briefs

• Football AllStar Results in next weeks Report
• Kerry’s Seamus Moynihan named Footballer of the Year
• I would like to thank Al & Jane Steger-Lewis for their match report on the Hacky Cup final last week.

 

Allianz National Football League Division 1B
Mayo 0-12 Fermanagh 2-2

At Brewster Park last Sunday, in front of 3000 spectators, Mayo produced one of their finest displays in recent memory. The trip to the United States has obviously rejuvenated the team. Mayo were very sharp and their defence was disciplined. Colm McManaman and David Brady ran the show in midfield, winning almost everything while Marty McNicholas of Breaffy had a great debut scoring three points in the first half. Noel Connelly scored two points running from the middle of the field to do so, James Gill, David McDonagh and Trevor Mortimer all scored points and Ronan Loftus was absolutely brillant with his free takings. They played inspired football at times. Fermanagh were not the same team which had an impressive run in last years Ulster Football Championship, they just could not stop Mayo.
It took Fermanagh, a team with an outstanding forward line, 50 minutes to register a score from play. At half-time Fermanagh were holding on by a goal then Rory Gallagher scored from the penalty spot after a controversial decision by the referee.
In the second half Mayo started strong again with scores from Ronan Loftus and Marty McNicholas widening the gap to 8 points. Fermanagh tried to respond and when they got their first point from play a cheer went up from the home supporters, as they still could not believe what was happening to their team. Fermanagh scored another point courtesy of Rory Gallagher and a goal came from substitute Martin McGrath, but it was not enough. Mayo defended well and got vital scores in the last 10 minutes. Stephen Carolan scored a superb point from the right wing and to put a darker shadow on the game for Fermanagh, Shane King was dismissed after receiving a second bookable offence minutes from the final whistle.
Mayo still have a problem with their wides, notching up a tally of 16. But the impressive displays from Ray and Noel Connelly, Colm McManaman, David Brady, Marty McNicholas and David McDonagh evened things out. The scorers for Mayo were: N. Connelly(0-2), J. Gill(0-1),D. McDonagh(0-1), M. McNicholas(0-4), T. Mortimer(0-1), R. Loftus(0-2), S. Carolan(0-1).
Avid readers will note that I correctly predicted this result. I also predicted a Corofin win in the Connaght Club Championships Semi Finals, Check out the GAA Briefs to see if I got 2/2.

AIB Connaght Club Football Championship Final Preview
Crossmolina of Mayo will take on Corofin of Galway this Sunday at St Tiernans Park, Crossmolina in the AIB Connaght Club Football Championship Final. It’s the game everybody wanted to see but no one thought it would happen. The Galway Board were fined because of the delay of the Connaght Club Semi Final, which was postponed for a few weeks because of the Galway County Final being delayed due to the Galway Team reaching the All Ireland Final. But while the County board were struggling to enter a team into the competition Crossmolina were beating Kilbride and Bunninadden.
This will be Crossmolina’s toughest task since they met Na Fianna in the All Ireland Semi Final last year. Corofin, who won the All Ireland Title in 1998, have very good players such as Donnelan, Conlisk and O’Donavan. They have defeated Mountbellew/Moylough, Kilanin and Aughavas of Leitrim in successive weeks. They were reported to be tired and jaded in last weekend’s clash against Aughavas so it is likely that it was a light training session Corofin were doing this week.
Corofin will be missing their county centre half Jason Killeen through injury. Crossmolina will be missing players as well with Gerard O’Malley in the Lebanon, Stephen Rochford is expected to slot into the left half back position. Elsewhere there are no changes expected.
Crossmolina will find it tough against players such as Martin McNamara, Ray and Brian Silke, John and James Lardner and midfielders Kieran Fitzgerald and Aiden Donnellan will cause problems. Nevertheless I think Crossmolina will more than match them so I predict a Crossmolina win!!!

All Ireland U21B Hurling Championship Final
This Saturday at Hyde Park, Roscommon, Mayo take on Westmeath in the Final of the All Ireland U21B Hurling Championship. The final was scheduled for October 30th but was postponed due to Hyde Park not being playable. Things have changed since then, the quality of playing fields has deteriorated due to winter setting in – it’s not exactly the time of year to be presenting silverware. Mayo got to the final by defeating Armagh in the Semi-final on September 16th. Westmeath reached the final via Kerry which took a replay to decide the winner, that game was played on the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Westmeath are going into the final as favourites situated in Division 2 of the National Hurling League and with Mayo only in Division 3. But the Mayo team are still very optimistic. The Mayo team will be: Tomas Duffy, Seamus Glynn, Declan Cafferkey, Kevin Healy, Patrick Freyne, Paddy Barret, Paul McConn, Ciaran Conroy(captain), John Duffy, Andrew Howard, Sean Ganley, Gerard McDonnell, Martin Devaney and Stephen Broderick.

GAA News Brief

• Cashman selected as new Cork Hurling Manager.
• Paidi O’Se voted Football Manager of the Month.
• Four Roads of Roscommon defeated Toreen of Mayo by 4 points in the AIB Connaght Hurling Championship Semi Final.
• Rice College, Westport defeated Ballyhaunis C.S. in the Connaght Colleges Senior ‘B’ Football League.
• Davitts defeated Kilmeena by 1 point in the Mayo Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Final Replay.
• Mayo Ladies present ‘The Saw Doctors’ Thursday November 23rd in the Travellers Friend, Castlebar at 8pm, Tickets £8 and all proceeds go to Mayo Ladies Holiday Fund.
• Mayo have to travel to London in the first round of the Connaght Championship next Summer. The winners will play Sligo in the Semi-final.
• Galway face Leitrim in the first round of the Connaght Championship next summer. The winners will play Roscommon or New York in the Semi Final.

 

Achill Ladies GAA News
Cancellation and Postponements
At Griffin Community Park last Sunday only one game took place. The Currane and Achill Sound match was cancelled the evening before due to Achill Sound’s inability to field a team. But Bunnacurry/Cashel and Kildawnet/Saula met at 12 pm. The rain began to worsen as the teams took to the field, both teams only fielding 8 players per team. A tough task lay ahead with them also playing full size pitch. During the first the half conditions began to worsen and at half time the match was postponed.

AIB Connaght Club Football Championship Semi-final
Crossmolina 1-12 Bunninadden 1-6
Crossmolina Deel Rovers are through to the AIB Connaght Club Football
Championship Final again. But they will have to improve on Sunday’s display if they are to become the first Mayo team to win this competition back-to-back. Bunninadden started the game with the wind in their favour and started the better of the two teams, at one stage they were leading by 4 points due to a blunder by Damien Mulligan which allowed Padraig Doohan in to score a goal. Bunninadden were winning by 1-4 to 0-5 at this stage, but a goal by Kieran McDonald just before half time narrowed the gap to 1 point. All six Crossmolina attackers were very much involved in the game but special mention must go to McGuinnes, McDonald, Gardiner and Enda Lavelle as they played exceptionally well. The defence made a lot of blunders however, Francis Costello, Damian Mulligan and Tom Nallen all had passes intercepted. The playing conditions did not help though, causing a lot of the blunders.
In the second half, Crossmolina began to get the edge on their opponents, with McDonald and Moyles scoring crucial points. However, Bunninadden did scare the local fans as they came close to scoring a goal on more than one occasion. Man of the Match went to Bunninadden Goalkeeper Michael Finn. He pulled off some great saves in the first half to keep his side in front. In the end Crossmolina won by six points and Bunninadden went away proud after a impressive display in their first ever match in this competition.
Scorers for Crossmolina were; Francis Costello (0-1), Gereard O’Malley (0-1), Micheal Moyles (0-2), Kieran McDonald (1-2), Peader Gardiner (0-2), Paul McGuinness (0-4).
Crossmolina are to meet either Galway’s Corofin or Leitrim’s Aughavas in the final on November 19th.
My prediction: A Corofin win (Aughavas and Corofin match). If Corofin win, the final will be held in Crossmolina. If Aughavas win, the final will be held in Carrick-on-Shannon.
I will have all the news on the Club Championship here on “The Ruddy Report”.

Ladies National Football League Division One
Mayo 0-9 Tyrone 1-6
Mayo ladies travelled to Carrickmore in north Tyrone to play Tyrone last Sunday in their opening game of the season. Mayo went to Tyrone with an understrength side, players such as Cora Staunton, Maria Staunton, Niamh Lally and Orla Casby missing through injury. However, Louisbourghs’ Clare Egan played exceptionally well in midfield with the help of Assumpta Bohan, Yvonne Byrne and Niamh NíShé who played superbly in the difficult conditions. At half time the sides were level at (0-5) each. Scores for Mayo in the first half came from Diane O’Hora and Martha O’Malley.
Score’s from substitute Sabrina Bailey, Diane O’Hora and Martha O’Malley put Mayo into a strong position in the second half, they lead by three point’s going into the final quarter with the scores at (0-9) to (0-6). In injury time Tyrone scored a valuable goal to share the points.
Mayo’s next game in the National League is against Monaghan in Monaghan on November 19th.

Crisis for Mayo Football Selectors
Once again success for a Mayo club in the Connaght Club Championships is to cause selection problems for the Mayo Selectors. It is likely that Pat Holmes (Mayo football Manager) will have to select his team for the National League clash on Sunday against Fermanagh without the Crossmolina players.
The Mayo and Connaght Champions will be appearing in their second successive Connaght Club final on November 19th. This is causing difficulty for Pat Holmes as he faces a difficult away trip to Fermanagh on Sunday. Holmes is to meet the Crossmolina manager this week to discuss if his players are available for selection for the Allianz National Football League match in Irvinestown, but it is highly unlikely seemingly with the club championship two weeks away.
This it is not the first time this has happened to Mayo Selectors with the recent success of Mayo Clubs in All Ireland Competition.
But why should Crossmolina release their players? They were defeated last year by Na Fianna of Dublin in the all Ireland semi-final, but this time they would like to go one step further. With All Ireland Champions Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh knocked out, the door is left open with Crossmolina, Na Fianna and Cork’s Nemo Rangers favourites to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup.
Prediction: Mayo and Fermanagh, tough one this with Mayo having a very young and inexperienced side, but I have heard a lot about the morale in the team so I am going to stick my neck out and say a Mayo win.

GAA News In Brief

• Jimmy Barry Murphy step’s down as Cork Hurling manager.
• Bellaghy win the Ulster Club football Championship.
• Knockmore U-17’s win Mayo County title.
• Castlebar Mitchels and Charlestown to contest U-15 League County Final.
• Balinrobe’s Sinead Costello was announced as Mayo Ladies Captain for the coming season.
• Sacred Heart, Westport defeated Scoil Muire, Tourmakeady in the Connaght Colleges Ladies Senior Football Championship round 3.
• In the Guinness Hurling Writers Awards, Kilkenny hurling stars DJ Carey and Noel Hickey stole the show. DJ Carey won hurling player of the year and Noel Hickey won Young Hurler of the year.
• Connaght Club Hurling Championship: Tooreen of Mayo take on Four Roads of Roscommon this Sunday in the provincial Semi-final. The winners will play Galway’s All Ireland Champions Athenry in the Final.
• Liam McHale is reported to be making himself available for selection for the Mayo Senior football Team. Liam who is 35, retired last season.
• Abbot’s of Sligo defeated Allergan of Westport to win the Connaght Football Inter Firm’s Title.