); This is the first time I’ve had a right run of it - Mayo captain on move to full-forward
Aidan O’Shea doesn’t feel time is running out to add that elusive All-Ireland medal. By Kevin O Brien Friday 18 Dec 2020, 11:38 AM Dec 18th 2020, 11:38 AM 4,416 Views 3 Comments
BACK IN FEBRUARY, James Horan and Ciaran McDonald approached Aidan O’Shea at training with a plan to play him at full-forward. Mayo coach Ciaran McDonald chats with Aidan O Shea. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
O’Shea has frequently occupied the position before over the years, famous scoring 3-4 in the 2015 Connacht final against Sligo and grabbing a goal against Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter-final en route to collecting at All-Star at number 14.
In Dublin s last two matches alone, their marauding wing-back has teed up a point-blank goal for Seán Bugler against Meath; and then, against Cavan, he has pounced on defensive dithering to create another (unconverted) goal chance for Niall Scully, scored a point in either half and ghosted into attack for his team s only goal.
On a day of peak Brian Fenton, RTÉ named Dublin s No 7 as their man of the match. There is life after Jack McCaffrey, after all.
Meet Robbie McDaid, Dublin s overnight sensation at the age of 27. Robbie who? the naysayers were asking a few months ago. Now they are just as likely to utter: Jack who?
In some ways, Stephen Coen is to the manor born when it comes to All-Ireland finals.
Along with the likes of Diarmuid O’Connor, Conor Loftus and Michael Plunkett, their formative football years would fly in the face of the Garden variety Mayo football experience and be based on All-Ireland final wins.
That group were minor All-Ireland champions in 2013 after seeing off a Tyrone team powered by Conor McKenna and Cathal McShane. They repeated the dose three years later beating Sean Powter’s Cork in the U21 decider.
Coen was captain for both successes, and James Horan there thought enough of him to bring him straight into the senior squad when he was just out of minor.
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‘Dare we say it, is this an opportunity for Mayo to put one over the Dubs?’
Short answer, no, according to Marc Ó Sé on this week’s The42 GAA Weekly podcast. By The42 Team Wednesday 16 Dec 2020, 2:01 PM Dec 16th 2020, 2:01 PM 19,089 Views 39 Comments
Fenton celebrates a Dublin win last month.
Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Image: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
A CHRISTMAS ALL-Ireland football final is afoot, but the romantic finish to the year many neutrals crave is not on the menu, according to Marc Ó Sé.
Ó Sé joined Shane Dowling for the latest edition of
The42 GAA Weekly to look ahead to Saturday’s Senior Football Championship decider at Croke Park. And while the Kerry legend can feel palpable excitement around him about the possibility of Mayo ending the drought, he can’t see Dublin being undone in their quest for