MARTIN CARNEY: Saturday’s dress rehearsal for Mayo was informative, but little else

WELL, we got a good look at some of them alright. Saturday night’s clash with Galway in the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome allowed Kevin McStay trial a number of new players, aside from giving some of the regular faces game time.

From the former category, Bob Tuohy, Jack Coyne and Fenton Kelly in particular stepped forward to rub shoulders with seasoned warriors Stephen Coen and, captain for the night, Matthew Ruane.

Even allowing for early season rustiness and an inevitable lack of familiarity within the group, there was much to learn and mull over. Fans, beginning to digest the reality that Mayo’s 2023 season will be one without a Mullin or a Keegan, are also wrestling with a new picture unfolding as to who will – or, for that matter, will not – step up to the mark. Keegan’s resignation, though not a total surprise, cast a pall over the evening. When one so consistently influential cuts ties with the team, there is an understandable sense of gloom. In my time watching Mayo I’ve never seen one who was such a model of excellence and consistency. This ability to be at his best in Croke Park never eluded him.

Willing and capable of playing the game on his own terms and in accordance with whatever demands were imposed was a feature. He could out-football the best, out-muscle the most contrary, inspire those around him, play with a mix of athleticism, assuredness and skill, yet give the appearance of being within himself and in control. Starting in six finals, he managed to feature for every single moment in all of these aside from scoring two of Mayo’s total of three goals.

Back to the present, though, and what is to come. The bonding and blending process is still in its infancy; guys who were strangers and names to one another only a few weeks ago in the dressing room are now on a more recognisable footing. Fostering a healthy dressing room atmosphere will have been high on management’s agenda, aside from promoting and getting everyone to recognise best practice and culture.

The seeds of their good work were evident in the FBD tie with Galway, where a determined starting 15 laid down a marker with an impressive first-half display in overcoming their opponents on a two goals and 18 points to three goals and 12 points scoreline.

Building on a good defensive structure, a dominant midfield partnership and an efficient attack, Mayo established a 10 points advantage by the interval. Galway found it hard to penetrate the suffocating Mayo defensive system where, under the baton of Stephen Coen, they managed to get numbers behind the ball and choke all avenues to goal.

Jordan Flynn and Matthew Ruane pulled the strings in the middle and gave regular supply to an attack, where over the course of the game the starting full-forward line cumulatively amassed a total of two goals and 12 points.

A key second quarter proved decisive; Galway were at sea, their tackling was of the token variety and their defence hadn’t any answers to the patterns Mayo wove. Nobody in the Green and Red underperformed in this period. Everyone was anxious to impress and lay a claim for a starting position on the team. Ball retention was of a generally high standard, movement was menacing, and forwards were at their best when they took on shots at goal without overthinking.

REVIVAL

The expected Galway revival gradually materialised as the second period took root. Substitutions at the break, four in all, made a difference and when one of these, Tomo Culhane, found the net seven minutes into the period, the packed arena got a sniff of a revival.

Moycullen’s Kellys, Eoin and Paul, began to add power, some delightfully flighted long balls exposed the Mayo full-back line, and late goals followed from Matthew Tierney and Culhane once again.

Kevin McStay will have a concern about his team coughing up five goal chances to the opposition in the second period, three of which were converted. Indeed, were it not for an excellent save by Rory Byrne late in the game the outcome could well have been different on a night where, for the most part, Mayo ere by far the better outfit.

Mayo gave late cameos to newcomers Kuba Callaghan, Gavin Durcan and Connell Dempsey, but their failure to draw more extensively from the substitutes' bench was later explained by the fact that earlier in the day Westmeath had played them in a challenge, so few were available for further game time.

I gather some of the more experienced players like Aidan O’Shea and Diarmuid O’Connor, among others, featured here. All told, I’d imagine somewhere between 30 and 40 players got a good early season stretch in preparation for bigger games ahead.

This Friday, Roscommon will provide the opposition in the Air Dome in the final of the FBD. Whether or not the same levels of experimentation continue remain to be seen, but above all the task of assembling a solid and trustworthy defence will continue apace.

Defensive solidity and dependability provided the cornerstone for much of Mayo’s life in the fast lane over the last decade. Immediate identification of candidates who are suited in every way to fill the boots of the departed will remain top of the agenda. Beating Roscommon and securing the FBD title would be a nice early-season feather in the cap, aside from reminding them what they will face in the opening round of the championship.

Aside from this it is the opening National League game with Galway on Saturday week in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park that will most exercise minds. The challenge of beating them and building a pathway towards Division 1 survival will be high on the agenda. To meet these targets it’s vital that those suitable and capable of fulfilling the tasks are quickly identified.

Last Saturday’s dress rehearsal was informative, but little else. A clearer picture as to who will face Galway should emerge after the Roscommon tie.