I travelled to Pearse Park, Longford, last Saturday, not quite sure what to expect. It was awful stuff, arguably as bad as I have witnessed from any Mayo team at this level. It is difficult to apportion blame to any single individual. There is a collective responsibility on everyone involved to shoulder some blame for the embarrassing display. The team definitely looked demoralised, in some cases disinterested, with a few others clearly not physically fit enough to play and win at this level. However despite this I did send a text to a number of people at half time suggesting that Mayo would probably win the match, not because we were playing any better than our opposition, but because Longford were dreadful.
But Longford did improve in the second half and were hungrier and way more determined for victory. Alan Freeman displayed great courage and leadership in a single handed effort to haul a dispirited team over the winning line. Alan Dillon was another who refused to bend the knee, and he was the one other Mayo player who looked a class apart. But it wasn’t to be, and in fairness Longford deserved their victory. They now go on to play Down in their next game, and with their confidence sky high after taking the scalp of division one finalists they will give the Mourne men a run for their money.
Managing an inter-county football team is a tricky business. It can be lots of fun when things are going well, but it can also leave you broken, humiliated and, on occasion, embarrassed. The preparation of a county side takes so much time it can dominate your life.
John O’Mahony proved his worth in leading Leitrim to a provincial championship in 1994 when it appeared to be beyond their expectations. In the process, he enhanced his reputation as a manager of substance with an eye for detail and generally a man who left no stone unturned in his pursuit of victory. He enhanced his reputation further with a couple of outstanding years with Galway, winning a plethora of titles at under-21 and senior level. He had an instinct for winning in those days, albeit with an exceptionally talented crop of players in Galway. He had a passion, and on occasion a fury, that made him a winner. He was riding the crest of a wave at the time and those who know him well had an image of a man with huge self-belief, a man who could ride any number of punches. It was for all of those reasons and many others that this county were thrilled that he took on the job of managing the team four years ago.
If any man was going to lead us to the Holy Grail, then a man who had won two All Irelands with Galway would be the man to deliver. But sadly it wasn’t to be, and in particular the manner of the defeat last Saturday has left many feeling annoyed and disappointed. Now, not for a minute do I believe that any single individual can guarantee success. But many did believe that John’s winning experience as a manager would prove the difference and would ultimately deliver that elusive All Ireland title that the county so desperately craves. But O’Mahony appears to have lost the cutting edge in recent times. Whether it was his work load — with the obvious inference here that it is practically impossible to manage an inter-county team allied with a job as a TD — or just the fact that the job just doesn’t excite him any more, I am not sure. But the bounce had most definitely gone from his step.
So where to now? I assume the county board will seek nominations for the position of manager from the clubs and will eventually put together some sort of a committee to oversee the appointment. I expect it will happen soon enough as the team is due to fly to NY in October to play the FBD League final.
On a sadder note, I attended Lt General Dermot Earley’s funeral last weekend. I had the privilege of playing with and against Dermot on several occasions. He was a gentleman and arguably the finest sportsman of his time. He was player manager of the Defence Forces football team for a number of years. He had an ability to inspire and lead by example.
