Before the big show on Sunday, Ray Dempsey’s minor’s will be going for two-in-a-row when they take on Roscommon in the Connacht minor football championship final, just before 2pm. Dempsey named an unchanged side to go into the game on Wednesday evening, with John Carney who came on against Galway the only major injury doubt according to Mayo manager Ray Dempsey. “John is a doubt, we don’t know yet whatever he will be able to take some part in the game or none at all. He is a big loss because he does bring something different to the game, but we just have to wait and see.”
While Mayo were very impressive against Galway in the semi-final win over the Tribesmen, that’s all in the past and it’s all about what happens on Sunday according to Dempsey. “Look, were always trying to polish our performance and improve on things and that’s what we have been working on since the Galway game. Our performance against Galway was good enough that day, but that means in no way will it be good enough on Sunday against a very good Roscommon side. They hit a very big score against Leitrim and have about eight players from the side we beat in last year’s final. They have some of the finest players in the country so we know we have to up our game again.”
Being there when it counts
Making sure that his side is there or there about when the game comes to the crunch is something that Dempsey has been trying to instil in his players and wants to see from them on Sunday. “The game is won or lost in the business end of the game in the last ten to 15 minutes. It’s all about being there either building on a lead or clawing the game back and getting into a winning position. You have to make sure that you’rein that position at least and be willing to work and fight to the death, that’s where you learn a lot about yourself and your team and where you going to end up.”
Being the manager of a under age side means that you always have to deal with a revolving door of players coming in and out of your team through the years, but Dempsey doesn’t see that as a problem, it’s something to be enjoyed he thinks. “If you don’t enjoy management you’re in the wrong game, it’s all about looking to the future and working with guys who know what they want for their future on the football field and off. It is something that I have enjoyed so far and everyone of those guys are willing to put in the work to achieve what they have set out for themselves so you can’t ask for more than that.”
