Sixty minutes is all that stands in the way of the Mayo under 21s and a place in this year’s All Ireland final. Pat Holmes collected his fourth consecutive Connacht title after a comprehensive win over Sligo which wrapped up the provincial honours following tough wins over Galway and Roscommon earlier in the competition. Standing in their way are Downwho claimed the Ulster title on Wednesday evening following a one-point win over Armagh.
Saturday’s game in Pearse Park, Longford will offer Holmes and his management team of Noel Connelly and Michael Collins a chance to make it into their second All Ireland final in four years and go for a second All Ireland title, following on from the one they claimed in their debut season in charge in 2006.
But Holmes isn’t looking any further than the next game as has been the case throughout the competition. “All we've got to do is concentrate on Saturday night, it's one game at a time as always and we've just got to take it like that.” While his side have played challenge games against a couple of Ulster sides this year, Holmes knows that this Saturday’s test will be a stiff one. “It's an All Ireland semi-final, we didn’t play any of the sides who got to the Ulster final in challenge games before. We did play Derry who were put out by Donegal, who themselves were put out by Armagh, and we also played Tyrone who were beaten in the semi-final by Down. Both of those sides were very good, so it shows the strength of Ulster but that's not a surprise really.”
Mayo are reporting a fairly good clean bill of health with Aidan O’Shea, Kevin McLoughlin and Tom Parsons coming through last weekend’s senior encounter with Tyrone unscathed. However Cathal Freeman is still suffering the effects of an injury he picked in the Connacht semi-final against Roscommon and doesn’t look like he’ll make a recovery in time. “Cathal is a doubt, he hasn't done any training for the past three weeks or so, I don't think he'll be fit to play but he might play some part in the game.”
One of the key reasons for Mayo’s progress in this year’s championship has been the effort put in by not just those 15 who started each game, but the substitutes who came in during the three games so far and that level of competition for a place in the side has everyone fighting hard in training. “Everyone is fighting for their place in the side and every game is going to be hard fought to win. We're just concentrating on getting the lads ready for Saturday and taking it like that,” said Holmes.
Crossing the line
One of the most impressive performers in this year’s side has been 19-year-old Crossmolina man Cathal Carolan. The electrician has been named as a wing forward in each of the three games so far, but has operated closer to the midfield, putting in a series of top drawer display’s. Speaking to the Mayo Advertiser earlier this week, Carolan was looking forward to Sunday’s game. “I'm enjoying the under 21 championship, but it's about taking it one game at a time. There were a few good hard tough games in the Connacht championship that we had and it’s gone so far so good for us but we have to win on Saturday.”
Getting picked to play for Mayo is something that Carolan has taken as a great honour and is looking to make the most of every opportunity he gets to wear the green and the red. “Playing for Mayo is a great honour and anytime you get the chance to do it is a great day for any player. We’ve got a very good squad, with about six of the lads on the senior side as well, we also have a good few lads who came up from last year’s minor side and handful from last year’s team. There is good battling in training and everyone is putting in a huge amount of effort into the team. It's not going to be easy on Sunday, but we're going to give it all we have, it's an All Ireland semi-final and only one game away from the final.”
When the under 21 championship is put to bed this year, Cathal will be plying his trade with the Deel Rovers in the club championship and playing alongside some of the biggest names in Mayo football is something that he relishes as he continues to learn his trade. “We’re going for the county title, you have to aim to be the best in the game. It's great to go out and play with lads like Ciaran McDonald, Peadar Gardiner and James Nallen. There really top quality players who you can learn an awful lot from.”
