Mayo Premier League 2008

**the grape vine** · 15/02/2008, 3:00 PM

Originally Posted by FahyForever

I was just trying to get lads from other teams in the division to get involved, it seems to be mostly Castlebar Celtic news and I have no idea who ye are talking about when you use initials rather than names! Not trying to be smart! Would like to hear how teams think they will get on this year. Seems pretty open again this year with most sides in with a good shout.

ya it would be great if more poeple from different clubs got involved .

**irishyop** · 15/02/2008, 3:29 PM

Originally Posted by FahyForever

I was just trying to get lads from other teams in the division to get involved, it seems to be mostly Castlebar Celtic news and I have no idea who ye are talking about when you use initials rather than names! Not trying to be smart! Would like to hear how teams think they will get on this year. Seems pretty open again this year with most sides in with a good shout.

Ah, sorry lad, yes I know what you mean, there are a good few to turn up again yet, Swinford, Ballinrobe, Westport heads to throw in their piece.

It is very hard to call this one again, last year we were a big disappointment as were yourselves. BRobe were a suprise to me compared to how they were the season before.

Have ye any good signings or retirements there yet? I take it you are still in Milebush, any sign of a pitch for you down the line?

**juan pablo** · 16/02/2008, 11:55 AM

To be honest and i think i speak for a few people who have visited the website in recent weeks, i am getting bored about reading up about Castlebar, Westport, Ballyheane- Managers appointed.... speculation about players..ZZZzzzzzzzz if you ask me. Yes, i know this is a Football Forum so lets talk FOOTBALL for christ sakes!!

In regards to our own Pre-Season, Training is going well, few new faces this season which is always nice to see, have nothing to lose in the Super League so no real pressure,

My money is on Fahy and possibly Swinford or S&F being promoted this season, Fahy made a late attempt to pip us to that second position and if they can start the new season the way they ended last season, they will be hard beat. Would like to see them get their own pitch though as i am sure they would agree, the astro can be tough on the ankles,knees etc. Nothing like a good old bobble for defenders to deal with.

Any Fixtures out yet??

**the grape vine** · 18/02/2008, 8:10 AM

[QUOTE=juan pablo;879122]To be honest and i think i speak for a few people who have visited the website in recent weeks, i am getting bored about reading up about Castlebar, Westport, Ballyheane- Managers appointed.... speculation about players..ZZZzzzzzzzz if you ask me. Yes, i know this is a Football Forum so lets talk FOOTBALL for christ sakes!!

sure if nobody from any other club comes on and join's in,in the forum what can we do !!!

**irishyop** · 18/02/2008, 1:25 PM

Originally Posted by juan pablo

To be honest and i think i speak for a few people who have visited the website in recent weeks, i am getting bored about reading up about Castlebar, Westport, Ballyheane- Managers appointed.... speculation about players..ZZZzzzzzzzz if you ask me. Yes, i know this is a Football Forum so lets talk FOOTBALL for christ sakes!!

In regards to our own Pre-Season, Training is going well, few new faces this season which is always nice to see, have nothing to lose in the Super League so no real pressure,

My money is on Fahy and possibly Swinford or S&F being promoted this season, Fahy made a late attempt to pip us to that second position and if they can start the new season the way they ended last season, they will be hard beat. Would like to see them get their own pitch though as i am sure they would agree, the astro can be tough on the ankles,knees etc. Nothing like a good old bobble for defenders to deal with.

Any Fixtures out yet??

Good to see u back there JP, did ye get any interesting signings for the Super League?

**FahyForever** · 18/02/2008, 4:58 PM

Originally Posted by juan pablo

To be honest and i think i speak for a few people who have visited the website in recent weeks, i am getting bored about reading up about Castlebar, Westport, Ballyheane- Managers appointed.... speculation about players..ZZZzzzzzzzz if you ask me. Yes, i know this is a Football Forum so lets talk FOOTBALL for christ sakes!!

In regards to our own Pre-Season, Training is going well, few new faces this season which is always nice to see, have nothing to lose in the Super League so no real pressure,

My money is on Fahy and possibly Swinford or S&F being promoted this season, Fahy made a late attempt to pip us to that second position and if they can start the new season the way they ended last season, they will be hard beat. Would like to see them get their own pitch though as i am sure they would agree, the astro can be tough on the ankles,knees etc. Nothing like a good old bobble for defenders to deal with.

Any Fixtures out yet??

Fair play to JP, always a good man to get the ball rolling! As for the predictions, I think that you're right in saying we need a better start to last year. It's going to be a very tough season, with two decent teams coming down in Glenhest and Crossmolina and some stiff opposition elsewhere in the group, particularly from S+F and Westport. Castlebar are so unpredictable, they can be excellent one match and useless the next, depending on their squad. Lots of online activity from them anyway so presumably they have a good interest this year! Would like to hear from the two teams coming down into the division, have they similiar squads to last year? What about Kilmore and Urlaur? The momentum is often with teams going the right direction, as Claremorris proved a couple of years ago. Have they aspirations for the title?

As for ourselves, we have Stephen O Malley back from England but are still missing Darren and Justin Creaby as well as James Wright. And we have, at last, definite plans for a pitch. But it's still Milebush this year, and believe me, we hate it as much as ye do, grateful as we are for the opportunity to play somewhere. Come on lads, stick your necks out; top two? bottom two? promoted two (seen as how it's rarely the top two!!).

**juan pablo** · 18/02/2008, 7:33 PM

Well we have no real major signing(s), their is nothing work looking at on the Bosman list so we will make do in what we have.:L:L
Numbers have improved the last 2 weeks and we are getting some of last years players back, even a few making the leap from the GAA which is nice to see.

Our under 18's are giving the manager something to look at, so expect a young team this season apart from 1 or 2 loyal and dedicated players. We are favourite's to go straight back down but i think a few years with the current squad may see us staying up in the next few years.

When does the League Kick off??

I was reading in the Galway Advertiser last week how Mayo have some of the nicest pitches in the country which is nice to read, i would say that is due to the fact that we have a Summer League, Galway League considering changing also.

**irishyop** · 18/02/2008, 9:34 PM

Welll you cant win anything with kids JP

Best of luck up there in the big bad world LOL

**Norm** · 19/02/2008, 1:42 PM

Alright Lads,
Definately another interesting season on the horizon. I reckon the four teams joining the prem league this year are all going to pose threats in terms of challenging for the top 3-4 places, tough away trips and in the case of C'mollina & Glenhest - experience. Kilmore & Urlar have the advantage of momentum, presumably good squad morale and not alot is known about their squads.
Westport, Castlebar & S&F are the obvious choices for the top 3 places. Fahy, should they find some form early on and some consistency, are in with a shout.
This years title and promotion spots are open to all ten teams. Consistency is key. Fittness is important as is a good start and at least 11 players every sunday!!
Its also worth noting that there is only 3 leagues in Europe worth watching.. The English Premier League.. The spanish Premier league.. and The Mayo Premier League..

**irishyop** · 19/02/2008, 1:44 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

Alright Lads,
Definately another interesting season on the horizon. I reckon the four teams joining the prem league this year are all going to pose threats in terms of challenging for the top 3-4 places, tough away trips and in the case of C'mollina & Glenhest - experience. Kilmore & Urlar have the advantage of momentum, presumably good squad morale and not alot is known about their squads.
Westport, Castlebar & S&F are the obvious choices for the top 3 places. Fahy, should they find some form early on and some consistency, are in with a shout.
This years title and promotion spots are open to all ten teams. Consistency is key. Fittness is important as is a good start and at least 11 players every sunday!!
Its also worth noting that there is only 3 leagues in Europe worth watching.. The English Premier League.. The spanish Premier league.. and The Mayo Premier League..

Any club preferences there yourself Norm? Or do you play with any of them?

**Norm** · 19/02/2008, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by irishyop

Any club preferences there yourself Norm? Or do you play with any of them?

Theres only one F in Fahy....

**FahyForever** · 20/02/2008, 1:40 PM

Good Man Norm! Nice to have a bit of back-up! Have to disagree with you on one point though; the Spanish League is not all it's cracked up to be this year...

**Cloggs** · 20/02/2008, 6:06 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

Theres only one F in Fahy....

i heartily echo the sentiments of fahyforever on that one!good to have you on board!

**GoodFootball** · 21/02/2008, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by FahyForever

Fair play to JP, always a good man to get the ball rolling! As for the predictions, I think that you're right in saying we need a better start to last year. It's going to be a very tough season, with two decent teams coming down in Glenhest and Crossmolina and some stiff opposition elsewhere in the group, particularly from S+F and Westport. Castlebar are so unpredictable, they can be excellent one match and useless the next, depending on their squad. Lots of online activity from them anyway so presumably they have a good interest this year! Would like to hear from the two teams coming down into the division, have they similiar squads to last year? What about Kilmore and Urlaur? The momentum is often with teams going the right direction, as Claremorris proved a couple of years ago. Have they aspirations for the title?

As for ourselves, we have Stephen O Malley back from England but are still missing Darren and Justin Creaby as well as James Wright. And we have, at last, definite plans for a pitch. But it's still Milebush this year, and believe me, we hate it as much as ye do, grateful as we are for the opportunity to play somewhere. Come on lads, stick your necks out; top two? bottom two? promoted two (seen as how it's rarely the top two!!).

Youse look stronger this year alright. Have ye any of the gaelic lads from Kilmeena? Heard Davy Feehan has committed fully.

Stephen O Malley - Dessies brother?? He played a few years ago in the premier for ye at centre back?? What sort of shape he in now after England?

Sounds like ye're on the up... all the best

**Norm** · 25/02/2008, 8:41 AM

Wake up call for Fahy Saturday Evening. 2-0 defeat to Clew Bay in milebush. Alot of lads missing. We huffed and we puffed but we didn't quite blow any houses down. Still 5 weeks to go till kick off so plenty of time. Any other friendlies of note over the weekend??

**juan pablo** · 26/02/2008, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by irishyop

Welll you cant win anything with kids JP

Best of luck up there in the big bad world LOL

Well i wouldn't exactly say they are kids now but every team has to start off somewhere

We had 2 friendlies ourselves over the weekend, was a good run out for both sides, few quality additions to last years squad so with over a month to the big kick off, plenty of time to prepare as best we can i suppose.

**irishyop** · 26/02/2008, 9:32 AM

Originally Posted by juan pablo

Well i wouldn't exactly say they are kids now but every team has to start off somewhere

.

I was only pulling the **** there JP

**couchpotato** · 27/02/2008, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by irishyop

I was only pulling the **** there JP

i reckon two very good teams last year in Crossmolina and Glenhest but ive heard thtat a lot of their players are switching codes after a year of heavy defeats.

if they can retain even 70-80% of players that played super league last year, they will definitly be there or thereabouts at the end of the season

**GoodFootball** · 28/02/2008, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by couchpotato

i reckon two very good teams last year in Crossmolina and Glenhest but ive heard thtat a lot of their players are switching codes after a year of heavy defeats.

if they can retain even 70-80% of players that played super league last year, they will definitly be there or thereabouts at the end of the season

Crossmolina and Burrishoole will take them players when it matters and thats why both got relegated last year.

Im going to be bold and say that S & F will win the league and Fahy will finish second. With Westport B and Celtic B closely following. It will be tight though..first 5 games are crucial

Hopefully we will see more players from this division in the Mayo Oscar Traynor squad next year!!!

**FahyForever** · 28/02/2008, 1:51 PM

Fair play for sticking your neck out anyway Goodfootball! I'm finding it difficult to do the same though! The last time Glenhest came down from the Super League (year before last) I thought they would struggle to stay in the Premier league. They ran away with the divisional title. Without inside information on the squads available to each team it's virtually impossible to gauge their potential.

S+F came good towards the end of last year and presumably they will continue that surge this year.
For me though, Westport United are the team to beat. Having won the title last year, whilst playing the most attractive football, they have to be favourites again this term. It's a credit to the club that even at a lower level they refuse to compromise their policy of playing passing, fluid football, primarily along the floor. They have an improved underage system in place and there are plenty of decent young lads coming up through the ranks. There is an argument to say they can be put off their game by the more physical teams (reminiscent of Arsenal circa 2005-2006!), but I think the players who started last year will be well used to that by now.

Celtic B, on paper, must have a great chance too, as their youths have had a phenomenal year. How many of the under-18's will figure for their B side I wonder? With so many changes in personnel between the three teams it's not easy to assess their squad from the outside. After finishing 6th and 7th in 2006 and 2007 respectively, they will surely be looking to improve.

Fahy have been closer both years, but struggle with consistency. With a decent start to the campaign and bit of luck with a few injury-prone, first-teamers I would fancy us to go up. But just about every team would say that.