THERE’S A FAIR bit of recent history between Bernard Flynn and Mayo.
Former Meath star Flynn criticised Aidan O’Shea after watching him sign autographs and pose for selfies after a challenge match against the Royals earlier this year.
And Flynn had Mayo fans up in arms again ahead of yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final, when he insisted that Andy Moran should have been left on the bench.
Moran started, of course, and claimed the man-of-the-match award after scoring 1-5 from play.
But speaking on RTÉ Radio 1′s Sunday Sport ahead of throw-in, Flynn discussed Moran with fellow pundit Tom Carr.
And he insisted: “For me, Andy Moran should be coming off the bench, as a sub, in the last 20 minutes.
“I would finish with Andy Moran on the field because in the big games, if you look at it last year, the couple of chances Aidan O’Shea and (Jason) Doherty and the boys had near the end…
“Andy Moran is quite accurate and I would have him (coming) in – and I’d start (Conor) Loftus.”
Carr responded: “They have to start Andy Moran – he’s the best starter at number 15, or 3, or 14, or whatever position he’s in.”
Flynn interjected: “I would start young Loftus, for a bit of pace and youth, I would.”
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To which Carr replied: “But Mayo could be gone out of this game after 15 minutes and then Andy Moran is no good to you.”
Flynn was having none of it: “They wouldn’t be in the championship only for Loftus’s brilliant goal and point he got against Derry.”
And on it went, with Carr hitting back: “That’s still not a reason to start him (Loftus) in the Mayo team ahead of Andy Moran.”
But Flynn was having none of it, and the final word went to him.
“I would still start him (Loftus), 100 per cent.
“They haven’t had enough impact from the bench in big games, down the stretch.
“That’s why I wouldn’t start Andy Moran. I’d keep Andy Moran (in reserve). That’s the one trick they’re missing out on – experience off the bench.”
We’ll let you draw your own conclusions on this one but in fairness to Flynn, he did acknowledge Moran’s vintage display last night:
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