Rochford expecting a step up in level next week

Sun, Jan 10, 2016

Things have gone as much to plan results wise for Mayo as Stephen Rochford could have hoped for in his first two games in charge of the side. But next week will see a steep step up in the standard of opposition on what his side have faced so far when Mayo make the trip to Hyde Park to take on Roscommon in round three of the FBD League.

Rochford's relishing the challenge

Fri, Jan 08, 2016

It's been a hectic month or so for new Mayo manager Stephen Rochford. The Crossmolina native who resides in Ballinrobe was appointed as the Mayo senior manager at the start of December and since then it's been all go for him. The Mayo Advertiser spoke to him this week and asked him has it been what he's expected it would be so far?

Keane happy to get things up and running

Wed, Jan 06, 2016

The FBD League threw in last Sunday and Mayo full back Kevin Keane had some new faces for company alongside him in Stephen Rochfords first starting 15 as Mayo manager. The Westport club man was happy to get the year off to winning start and get some miles into the legs in game conditions.

Rochford passes first exam against students

Sun, Jan 03, 2016

When the history books on Stephen Rochford’s tenure in charge of Mayo are written, this game will be a brief footnote in the overall analysis of his term as Mayo senior manager, but it will be a winning footnote. He started just one third of the side that last were in competitive action for Mayo last September and gave debuts to a handful of hopefuls, while a number of probables and returning faces were also given starts in the first game of the 2016 adventure.

Rochford happy with first outing and looking forward to the next one

Sun, Jan 03, 2016

Ever since he was appointed as Mayo senior manager, January 3 2016 would have been circled in Stephen Rochford’s mind as the day that business really began for him as the new Mayo manager. When asked after his sides two point victory over NUIG how he felt this morning waking up, knowing that this day had arrived, he responded saying: “I wouldn’t say I was nervous. I was eagerly looking forward to the game and now that it’s here and done, it’s about next Tuesday, next Friday, and it’s about getting ourselves right for IT Sligo and improving on todays performance.”

Rochford looks for “positive trajectory” from new recruits

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

Earlier this week the names of a number of returning and new faces who have been invited into the Mayo panel for the early stages of next year's campaign emerged into the public sphere, with the likes of Jason Gibbons, Cathal Carolan, and Shane McHale being mentioned as coming back into the fold alongside the likes of David Kenny, Shane Nally, and Caolan Crowe amongst others.

u21 championships still going as Christmas looms

Fri, Dec 18, 2015

The Mayo GAA U21 football championships are still to be completed just 13 days before the new year kicks in. Last weekend's snowy weather saw both of the two u21 A semi-finals that were down for decision postponed due to pitches being unplayable at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. The first of the semi-finals had been due to take place last Sunday morning between Aghamore and Kiltimagh at 10am, but the conditions overnight saw the pitch being deemed unplayable. The second semi-final between Claremorris and Moy Davitts was due to take place in the same venue later that day but the condition of the pitch hadn't improved enough for the games to go ahead.

Both of the games have been refixed for the same venue this weekend with the Aghamore v Kiltimagh game now fixed for tomorrow night, Saturday, December 19 at 8.30pm in Bekan and the second semi-final between Moy Davitts and Claremorris on Sunday, December 20 at 2.30pm. Also taking place this weekend is the u21B final between Davitts and Swinford which will throw in at 5pm tomorrow evening, Saturday, December 20 in Elverys MacHale Park.

U21 semi-finals down for decision this weekend

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

The Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence is going to be a hive of activity this weekend with the semi-finals in both the Mayo GAA u21A for the first time and u21C for a second time down for decision. In the premier grade of the competition, Aghamore and Kiltimagh will meet in the first semi-final on Saturday at 5pm, with the second semi-final between Moy Davitts and Claremorris taking place on Sunday at noon.

Mayo hurlers make addition to management team

Fri, Dec 11, 2015

The Mayo senior hurling team management for next year has been finalised this week, last year's manager JP Coen is staying on in charge of the side for another year and his backroom team has been bolstered by the addition of former Galway goalkeeper Liam Donoghue for 2016. Donoghue will join Ballyhaunis duo Dave McConn and Derek Walsh along with Tooreen's Tommy Feeney in supporting Coen as Mayo look to get back to the Christy Ring Cup for the 2017 season.

Clarenbridge clubman Donoghue joined the Galway senior hurling panel in 2001, and was sub goalkeeper when Galway were defeated by Tipperary in the All-Ireland final of that year. He won a National League title in 2004, and was appointed Galway team captain in 2005, steering his native-county to an All-Ireland final showdown with Cork.

Rochford ready to roll with Mayo

Mon, Dec 07, 2015

This weekend Stephen Rochford will take his first training session with the Mayo senior team, just three weeks out from their first game of the 2016. Last Thursday night Rochford met the press for the first time since his appointment and spoke at length about his hopes and the challenges ahead for the next year and much more. 

Deadly Douglas delivers for Mitchels

Sun, Nov 22, 2015

Just like in the county final Neil Douglas’ eye for goal was the crucial deciding factor for Castlebar Mitchels on Sunday when they claimed their second Connacht senior club title in three years in Tuam Stadium, in the process they sent the current All Ireland champions packing from the competition.

Tight battle lies ahead in Tuam

Fri, Nov 20, 2015

Next Sunday in Tuam Stadium (2pm) the two best senior club Gaelic football teams in Connacht over the past three years do battle for the Shane McGettigan cup, and the honour of being the 2015 Connacht champions. Corofin are current Connacht and All-Ireland club champions, and they put those titles on the line facing the last team to beat them in championship action two years ago, in Tuam.

An interesting subplot to Sundays joust, is that Corofin manager Stephen Rochford is the only nominee for the vacant Mayo job, and he will probably be in-situ for the FBD league in the green and red colours for early January. Stephen and his management team will know that the challenge they face in three days’ time will be a massive step up on what they have faced over the past few months. Castlebar are without doubt the best squad of players that they have faced since last February, when they beat St. Vincent’s in O’ Connor Park in Tullamore.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.