Apology accepted, I was prepared to do so myself. No shame in it, just a matter of understanding the logic applied. (I can see why Leitrim and Sligo wouldnt enter home/away for finals).

Of course 51, you might still be right!! Imagine if Sligo vs Leitrim final, and Leitrim (who have choice) pick Castlebar - but I'm sure you wouldn't want to be eventually right!!!

Solo Run (None) - Posts: 317 - 12/06/2012 11:38:29    1192496

Lol, lets just accept i was wrong and move on, ffs, Gaa lover is loving this.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 12/06/2012 11:43:38    1192502

I was talking to an official as well about this and I was assured that that when Mayo beat Leitrim the final will be on in McHale Park.

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 12/06/2012 11:56:40    1192514

Looks like i was wrong myself solo run (and others), apologies. To be fair when you look at it, it does make sense, of course leitrim/sligo would be at a disadvantage in a fina by retaining the home/away rule. Makes the final more intriguing (should mayo get there) if its at a neutral venue.

jono (Mayo) - Posts: 350 - 12/06/2012 11:59:23    1192518

Well Paddy, after all the doubts that was put in my head i get in touch with Prenty and was told " obviously there is nothing confirmed yet but if it was a case of Mayo beating Leitrim , it will be a neutral venue for the final"

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 12/06/2012 12:05:40    1192526

It raises an interesting point actually, shouldnt it be the same for everyone? Why is a mayo-ros or ros-galway game different to a mayo-sligo or galway-leitrim game? Surely having it at home for one of the counties would be a bigger earner for the gaa? Or on the other hand, surely every county should have to play on a neutral ground?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 12/06/2012 12:06:45    1192528

I suppose it is the same for everyone on the basis that each of the 10 inter-county relationships May-Ros, Gal-Sli, Leit-May, May-Sli etc etc are on an equal footing.

I don't understand Leinster having so many neutral venues, the home and away arrangements in Connacht are far better, better atmosphere. Pity Sligo and Leitrim can't host - I would love to see a Connacht Final in Carrick, no matter how infrequently!

Solo Run (None) - Posts: 317 - 12/06/2012 13:33:26    1192623

I am just of the phone there to a very Senior offical. Given the debate on hoganstand here it has been decided to host the Connacht at a neutral location. Mayo get to pick the location so we will pick Hyde Park. You heard it here first.

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 12/06/2012 16:02:44    1192828

Were ya onto ballboy paddy? :)

unclegerry (Mayo) - Posts: 1223 - 12/06/2012 16:35:45    1192869

Heard it here first lol Paddy! neutral venues for Sligo,Leitrim because between them they have only won 5 Connacht titles & this was decided by the Connacht Gaa many years ago.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4397 - 12/06/2012 16:46:08    1192881

"Heard it here first lol Paddy! neutral venues for Sligo,Leitrim because between them they have only won 5 Connacht titles & this was decided by the Connacht Gaa many years ago."


Hey? It has nothing to do with them only winning so many connacht titles. Its because of the obvious unfairness that they can't hold a final due to their county grounds been too small.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 12/06/2012 17:05:28    1192904

51longago yes the size of county grounds was also a deciding factor but years ago when Mayo were due a home game v Sligo in was held in Mayo. That has since changed. On another note when Hyde park was redevelop in the early 90s it was earmarked to host every Connacht final (Clones of Connacht)

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4397 - 12/06/2012 17:44:51    1192941

10/06/2012 19:45:11
killer_88_
County: Mayo
Posts: 1218

1191179
2010 wasn't just bad in hindsight. We all knew about the problems in Mayo before championship. At this stage in 2010 we had been hammered out the gate in a league final, a defeat we were never going to recover from in time for championship. Again I stress that it wasn't just the football on the pitch that made 2010 the worst year I can remember in Mayo football. There were serious off-field issues that year.

**************************
I did a bit of research on this post.

2010 Mayo's record before they played Sligo in the championship 12 matches: 9 wins, 1 draws, 2 losses compared to now 13 matches: 8 wins, 1 draws, 4 losses.

I have no idea about the off-field issues In 2010 however Mayo finished on top of Div 1 back then this year they finished 4th both years Mayo were defending Connacht champions. The big difference from two years ago is Mayo have longer break to recover from a league final defeat & the opening championship game Leitrim at home is easier than Sligo away (well at least on paper)

Killer you have gone on record many times that 2010 was the worst in living memory does that mean it will be worse if Leitrim or Sligo defeat Mayo?

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4397 - 12/06/2012 18:48:21    1192998

I hope I'm wrong as I'd love not to have to go to Castlebar (sorry Leitrim) but my understanding was that home and away applied for all Connacht matches, but if Sligo/Leitrim were at home for final it would be moved to neutral venue because of capacity issues. Sligo/Leitrim then get to keep the home venue for next time the counties meet as a result of having to move to neutral venue.

Sligo were scheduled home advantage in 2007 and 2010 but got moved to Hyde Park (Hyde is nearest venue for Sligo and Leitrim, unless Roscommon were in final). That has been my understanding for years and I've seen nothing to disprove this - Sligo played Mayo in Castlebar in 1997 Connacht final, which appears to disprove the neutral venue point.

If it transpires that it is a neutral venue, it will have to be Hyde Park.

By the way if Sligo play the way they played the second half on Saturday they will be very hard beat, regardless of venue - it was Sligo's first Championship win in Galway.

Bawner (Sligo) - Posts: 39 - 12/06/2012 19:36:32    1193037

I stand corrected. I've just read in Mayo News online that there was an agreement made in 1997 that Sligo/Leitrim would play finals in neutral venue. So Sligo's 1997 final in Castlebar must have been before this agreement.

Bring it on!!!!!

Bawner (Sligo) - Posts: 39 - 12/06/2012 19:51:08    1193048

Wasn't the Sligo v Mayo Connacht final 1997 played in Hyde park?

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3993 - 12/06/2012 19:58:14    1193053

1997 CSFC was in the Hyde
Mayo 11 points to Sligo 1-7 ( I think) cracker of a point by Paul Taylor an equally good long range effort by P Durcan late in the game. Forget who got the goal

Also famous for the first outing of the massive, infamous but sadly now defunct 'Great Owenmore Gaels on Tour' Banner

judemannion (None) - Posts: 44 - 12/06/2012 20:01:19    1193061

Its been confirmed that the Connacht Final 2012 WILL be played at a neutral venue (I stand corrected) as Sligo/Leitrim are invloved in one way or another there is a special arrangement here.

If Mayo get through, it is our County Bouard/ team who will have the choice over Pearce Stadium or Hyde park (cant see pearce being picked)

If Leitrim reach the final....I am not sure on the arrangement there. Overall though it looks like Hyde park will host the final again this year.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12122 - 13/06/2012 12:20:16    1193372

Unless Leitrim can give us the shock of the champ it will be a Mayo v Sligo final. I think the Mayo fullback line will have a better command over Sligo's inside line than we managed and Sligo's half forward line will be too busy marking a very attack minded Mayo half back line to spray in as much ball as they did against Galway. If Mayo's forwards fire they should have the power to win out. But with Kevin at the helm and a never say die attitude you cannot write off Sligo.

tribetastic (Galway) - Posts: 36 - 13/06/2012 12:38:12    1193393

"Unless Leitrim can give us the shock of the champ it will be a Mayo v Sligo final. I think the Mayo fullback line will have a better command over Sligo's inside line than we managed and Sligo's half forward line will be too busy marking a very attack minded Mayo half back line to spray in as much ball as they did against Galway. If Mayo's forwards fire they should have the power to win out. But with Kevin at the helm and a never say die attitude you cannot write off Sligo".


Thats pretty much the way i see it. I think our fb line will be better suited to the type of threat Sligo pose.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 13/06/2012 13:45:30    1193465