MAYO BOSS STEPHEN Rochford revealed that it was with kickouts in mind that they drafted Robert Hennelly into goal for today’s All-Ireland final replay.
Hennelly was a late inclusion for David Clarke – who played in the drawn game and was named on the team yesterday – but endured a tough outing with his kickouts.
Then in the 39th minute, Hennelly fumbled the ball after a Paul Flynn delivery and then fouled Dublin’s Paddy Andrews. He was shown a black card and Diarmuid Connolly netted the resultant penalty for Dublin.
“We did our analysis on Dublin,” outlined Rochford.
“They had pushed with a formation in the first game, pushing four guys inside. They were trying to cut off our short kick-out and as the game developed in the drawn game they were getting more comfort or more reward.
“And it was probably something they were going to try and maximise further. Robbie’s kick-out gave us a bit more length, a bit more option and that was the reason behind it.”
Rochford paused when asked if he felt the kickout strategy had worked.
“In some cases maybe it did, but I’m not thinking through every kickout now at this moment in time to wonder about that.”
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
The Crossmolina native painted a picture of the devastation the Mayo players were experiencing as the county lost out in their third All-Ireland final in five years.
“Do you know, the majority of that group have been in four All-Ireland finals – now three defeats out of that four. They’re very crestfallen. Devastated.
“I mean, you don’t put the last nine-ten months of your life into an inter-county scene in the way it is at the moment, and take anything out of this year but absolute and utter dejection.
“But they’ve been doing that for a number of years, and we continue to fall short. I’m sure that will be the central point to a lot of column inches over the next couple of weeks, but I couldn’t be prouder of them.
“We had a free maybe to draw the game and we could be still all outside looking at extra-time. But it’s not to be, and we’ll see what the future brings then as regards how we move on and regroup.
“(I’m) extremely proud of all the Mayo players. I thought they left every sinew of energy out there. Obviously, that’s matched with a huge amount of disappointment but when you come out of a battle like that and come second and to lose by the smallest margin makes it hurt a little bit more.
“When you look at a one-point defeat you look at every single play, every single decision, every single moment in it and question what could have been. That’s just the way it is.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
