Rossies unshackled as Mayo on road to nowhere

Is it safe to pop your head up again?

My correspondence on social media has been so incessant since the weekend that I did have to look up the Mayo team on 'X' to make double sure that I wasn't actually playing.

As is usually the case after a championship loss to Roscommon, the Rossie supporters have spent the week reminding everyone around them of the result at five minute intervals.

Between them and vengeful Kildare fans chiming in with 'Spursy!!' comments, it's been a bumpy few days on the internet.

There's no question but that the mood is low here in Mayo since Sunday. It's bad enough to be beaten narrowly by Roscommon but to be blown out of it so emphatically is another thing altogether.

Any tentative optimism that had been built up during the league has been obliterated.

The two league displays that people have revisited were the heavy losses to both Donegal and Kerry, which in retrospect look like the most relevant performances in the spring, sad to say.

It's fairly well accepted there's not going to be any championship silverware in Mayo in 2026. The Nestor Cup was probably the height of our ambition this summer and that's gone now.

They have form when it comes to bouncing back from horrible performances - such as in Omagh last year after the Cavan game - so we should see an improved effort in the All-Ireland series. But they don't look to have the consistency or the defensive solidity of real contenders.

Sunday was as bad a Mayo performance as I've seen in a long time, completely devoid of leadership, energy, bite and structure.

They were totally devoured at midfield, beaten in the air and when the ball broke. The lack of aggression both in the middle third and in defence was bizarre.

You could have safely driven a jumbo jet down the middle of their defence at times. I can't fathom who was supposed to be marking Diarmuid Murtagh. Conceding 1-17 in one half of football is bananas stuff.

It's a sorry enough spectacle when the only player carrying the fight to Roscommon was an 18-year-old.

None of which is to take away from our neighbours and the superb job that Mark Dowd has done.

It was party time for the Rossies in the final quarter as the Mayo fans slunk away before full-time. There was some spectacular points kicked as they stretched away. They probably would have played on for another 20 minutes if they could.

The game underlined that Roscommon are serious contenders this year, particularly given the names they were without.

Ultimately, the midfield battle was the central issue. Kieran McGeeney's 'piggery' phrase has entered the Gaelic football lexicon - probably for all-time - and it was in that department where Roscommon really out-fought and out-battled Mayo.

Our lads were completely unable to get their hands on the ball and there's not much the Kobes of the world can do in that scenario.

The FRC's kickout regulations have created a scenario where if any team can get on top in the middle, they have a chance. As a result, we're seeing underdogs being far more competitive than they were under the old rules.

Leitrim's performance against Galway was one of the best examples. They put huge pressure on the Galway kickout and played with immense aggression. With 10 minutes left, that game was still in the balance and it took the composure and class of Shane Walsh to help Galway navigate a tricky situation.

It tees up an enticing provincial final. Many will fancy the Rossies, though given the record of home teams in Connacht - them included - they should probably have sought a neutral venue in Castlebar again.

Down raid

If the Roscommon win over Mayo was a very mild surprise - I tipped a narrow Mayo win last week - then the Down result against Donegal was a seismic shock.

Funnily enough, it wasn't built on ravenous hunger in the middle third and dominance of the kickouts, which arguably made it even more impressive.

A Donegal team who exerted perfect control of possession in the league final - who supposedly never lost the ball when they got it into their hands - were turned over 15 (!) times. On Sunday, Down picked their pocket repeatedly.

Nor was Down's victory built on two-point shooters kicking the lights out, despite the presence of Pat Havern stationed around the arc.

When they attacked, they did so lethal efficiency, the ball carrier always having runners in support. So many of their scores were worked in close to the goal and tapped over for single points.

When the Donegal tanks started to roll and they started to get momentum, Down didn't wilt and instead went for the kill at the other end.

And yet for all that, one wonders whether the game will have huge relevance in the long run.

Down could yet wind up in the Tailteann Cup after all. Ulster being Ulster, they still have to turn over an Armagh team who will scent that a long-awaited provincial title is theirs to lose now.

If they fall short, they're dependent on Kildare winning their match - which is never a position that anyone wants to be in.

The result is a bit of a jolt for Donegal but they're in a different position to Mayo. Jim McGuinness has a proud managerial record in Ulster to defend but viewed from the outside, you'd surely imagine they have grander prizes in mind.

It's easy to see them regrouping and refocusing for a major tilt at the All-Ireland series, having had a few weeks off in the meantime.

While Down have shown they're very dangerous opponents and can't be dismissed by anyone - most especially not the graphics department - I still expect it to be an Armagh-Derry Ulster decider this year.

In Leinster, form and momentum suggests Louth should be favourites and yet I have a hunch, probably based on personal trauma, that the Dubs will produce a display this weekend.

I'm anticipating a Westmeath-Dublin Leinster final, with the midlanders nabbing the final Sam Maguire spot.

Watch Armagh v Down in the Ulster Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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