MAYO JOINT-MANAGER Noel Connelly says Donegal can double-mark full-forward Aidan O’Shea if they want, but that it will just mean their other forwards can take advantage.
The Connacht champions meet the Ulster heavyweights in the marquee game in this year’s All-Ireland quarter finals this Saturday, with O’Shea’s recent performances coming in for particular attention, having scored 3-4 in the Connacht Final against Sligo, as well as causing havoc in the Galway defence to force an own-goal in the semi-final.
Connelly is in the first year managing the team alongside joint-manager Pat Holmes, and he says that even if O’Shea is swallowed up by the Donegal full-back line, he’s confident his other free-scoring forwards can make up the difference.
“Obviously he is going to be a guy who is going to be well marshalled and well-marked. At the same that frees others up, there might be two/three fellas marking him at stages of the game so that frees up others,” he said.
However, Connelly is hopeful that if Rory Gallagher’s side do place special attention to O’Shea, the 25-year-old is given a fair crack at the whip by referee David Gough.
“To be fair, he is a guy who has really looked after himself physically both on and off the field. Both in terms of his diet and his training regime. He is a real positive lad and works really hard at training.
“There is no doubt that he is going to be targeted and all that we would ask from officials is that he gets fair play both on and off the ball. I said it before he is a big guy, he attracts a lot of attention and maybe in some games the attention he gets would warrant a free whereas the referee would view it that because he is a big guy he can take more.”
The Breafy clubman has been a revelation at the edge of the square after previous seasons in midfield and the half-forward line.
And Connelly says that his success in the position has been a work in progress throughout the season, and that he’s using more than just his size since the start of the Championship.
“We have worked on it but he has worked on it himself to be fair. He has seen the benefit of receiving a ball, throwing it off and receiving it back and finding himself in more open space.
“He is becoming more of a team player and he has not been playing long in that position, only since the league campaign and it takes him a while to learn and adjust and he has done that very well.”
There really should be a weigh in this week between Neil McGee and Aidan O’Shea, gaa missing a trick. That battle will be worth the entrance price on Saturday alone.
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Really hope Mayo leave O’Shea on the edge of the square for the whole game. That’d be some battle for 70 mins. McGee is as physical a full back as you’d come across but I still soon by think he has the physically to match O’Shea. It’ll be some battle
Good player donegal have there work cut out with this fellow
So have Mayo no plans to give Michael Murphy a bit of attention on Saturday.Trying to get into the refs head
All managers play mind game these days. In fairness the bigger players can find it hard to win frees. Michael Murphy another example.
Maybe Donegal should play the Sligo tactics against Mayo. God the regular
losers think they can sinc out a team like Donegal .
Ah sure Mayo have the all ireland won already.
I was talking to a Mayo man who is waiting for the final before going to Croke Park
up donegal.
This stage last year against Armagh Lacey and Murphy and many others had players hanging off them and choking their throats – nowt was done and no black cards.
It’s sad that if 2 marquee players – one a player if the year and one the Irish captain – can’t be protected then what hope is there for the others?
Ah now peter, Donegal are infamous for their cynical play and underhand tactics. When u have the two megees in your team u can’t really complain about getting a hard deal from refs, also murphy is very good at winning frees
Bull. Can’t argue with stats. Best discipline record of the top 6.
McGee is used to standing up to bullies – e.g. Marriage equality.
Next up Mayo boss warns Donegal not to beat them next Saturday!
Shocker!
McGee is an old style full back, no nonsense and plays hard but I think plays fair. Aidan wil face a different animal Sat but I think he will jus shade this battle. c’mon Maigh Eo
He may be old school but can play ball too. Not many full backs venture up the field to pop over points like he does