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Diarmuid O'Connor bags Mayo's first goal in last weekend's All-Ireland U21 final. Donall Farmer/INPHO

'It's not right any one player being targeted for one mistake he makes on a pitch'

Mayo star Diarmuid O’Connor has sympathy for Cork goalkeeper Anthony Casey.

MAYO U21 STAR Diarmuid O’Connor has expressed sympathy for Cork goalkeeper Anthony Casey in the wake of the online abuse he suffered after conceding five goals in last Saturday’s EirGrid All-Ireland U21 football final.

Casey defended himself this week after receiving the fierce criticism and yesterday appeared on the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk to discuss the issue.

O’Connor has basked in a celebratory glow this week after a brilliant win for Mayo football but admitted he was taken aback that the issue surfaced.

“To be honest, I only heard about that the other day. If someone asked me about it after the game, I wouldn’t have even noticed it.

“In fairness if you’re a keeper and you make one mistake, everyone is down on you. But me playing midfield, I’d say I made four or five mistakes but it didn’t matter.

“It’s tough, it was just one mistake. He’s human after all, I’m sure he’ll come back better and stronger after it.

“Cork are no different, they were training as much as we were. It’s not right any one player being targeted for one mistake he makes on a pitch.”

O’Connor savoured the celebrations as he added an U21 medal to his 2013 minor triumph and capped off a brilliant underage career.

The Mayo team celebrate in the dressing room Mayo players celebrating last Saturday's win Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

“I think just being a few years older, you just realise a bit more what exactly you’ve achieved and what exactly it means to everyone.

“There’s a lot of new lads in as well since the 2013 team but the majority of them would have been there at minor as well. They’re just a special bunch.

“The reaction has been unbelievable but it doesn’t surprise me. I always said the Mayo supporters are the best supporters in the country.

“I think they showed it again last Saturday. The amount of them there was unbelievable. They really were like a 16th man for us on the pitch.

“The last few days, going around to different villages and the bonfires, the different homecomings, it’s just unbelievable to see what it means to people.”

O’Connor is hopeful that the triumph can help banish talk of a hoodoo afflicting Mayo football.

“There’s a lot of talk about Mayo teams in All-Ireland finals. But the majority of these lads have played in two All-Ireland finals and have won two now so.

“For myself since I’ve come in to the seniors, it’s about trying to win All-Ireland semi-final replays. My two years there, we’ve lost two replays.

“There’s a lot of lads there that will be wearing the Mayo senior jersey in the next few years.

“It will be nice going back in to training and a few of us with All-Ireland medals. Hopefully it’ll give a bit of a boost to the senior lads and show them what we can do.”

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After shooting 3-24 at U21 football level, Dublin senior breakthrough is the next goal

‘Their mammies and daddies are doing a bit of crying that they are not in the squad’

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    Mute Declan Breen
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:19 PM

    Tony Kelly was the difference today to be fair to him he was class

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    Mute Kieran Considine
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:42 PM

    well done Clare ..hon the banner

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 4:59 PM

    That’s Phony Kelly done for the summer

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    Mute Darren Mullins
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:02 PM

    @Gary: you said that last week – good one !

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:03 PM

    @Darren Mullins: I didn’t I’ll have you know
    Must have been someone elseb

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:13 PM

    @Bryan: Incorrect he’s a flake and doesn’t turn up when it matters most
    I’d take Duggan over him every day of the week

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    Mute Eoghan O'Leary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 5:21 PM

    @Gary: good man Gary ya legend.

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    Mute Johnny B
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:20 PM

    In fairness Tony Kelly has gone missing in some big games with county and club over the last few years. In full flight he’s an absolute pleasure to watch. But consistency of performance has become a bit of an issue, especially on big days. And these bigger days tend to be when the opposition deem him worthy of legitimate and appropriate special attention. In other words,he can on occasion be marked out of it.

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:39 PM

    @Gary: He’s a superstar in January, February and March every year.

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 6:39 PM

    @Gary: gowl of a young lad. What did you score today

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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:05 PM

    @John kane: Imagine calling someone a gowl and then assuming I’m the young lad

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    Mute John kane
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    Feb 2nd 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Gary: imagine there’s no gowls….it’s easy if you try..

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    Mute Bryan
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    Oct 26th 2020, 4:43 PM

    @Gary: Eat your words ya cl0wn!

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    Mute Jack Hackett
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    Feb 3rd 2020, 10:59 AM

    Well done Clare. Not easy to get a good result in Wexford, even more difficult with 14 men.
    As for Tony Kelly; Are there many other players in the country, Gaelic Football or Hurling included, who have won young player and player of the year in the same year, All-Ireland, league and Munster club honours? I dont think so. So, to all the Trolls, go back under the bridge and wallow in your swamp life.

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