There is not much room left for manoeuvre going into Sunday’s final round of the Allianz Football League, and no team is more aware of that than Mayo. Having been so far away from the semi-finals, then so close, things could now go either way.
No wonder Kevin McLoughlin found himself in a slightly awkward position coming out of Croke Park on Saturday night. His 1-3 and man-of-the-match performance was in some ways upstaged by the two late goals from Dublin substitute Eoghan O’Gara, which forced the most unlikely of draws in a game Mayo should have won. Had they done so they would have put one foot into the semi-finals.
Because another victory there – having won their previous three games in a row – and Mayo wouldn’t be so reliant on beating Derry in Castlebar on Sunday to ensure they get another day out: Derry have already qualified, and while that might take some of the sting out of their game, it won’t lesson their desire to maintain their winning streak.
For now Mayo hold the fourth and last semi-final position, although with Dublin and Kerry breathing down their necks. What is certain is that Mayo’s scoring tally so far – 12 goals and 94 points already, the highest of any team in Division One – has left them with a healthy points difference, and perhaps helped quash some of the fears about unlocked potential in their forwards.
McLoughlin's 1-3 on Saturday night brought his 2014 league total so far to a 1-24, although he admitted some "bitter-sweet" feelings afterwards, and for good reason: Mayo were five points up with just over five minutes left to play before Dublin, down to 14 men since the 28th minute, snatched a share of the points.
Disappointed
"Well we'd certainly be a bit disappointed that we didn't finish out the game," said McLoughlin, the Knockmore forward at least honest about the opportunity missed.
“And yeah I’d say it was one that got away, absolutely. I think the last goal definitely came a bit too easy. At the same time, we did have quite long spells of good performances, and maybe let ourselves down, a small bit, to give away the goals at the end so easily. Still that gives us something to work on.”
Yet given the relentless pace of the game (and “the referee did let a lot go”, agreed McLoughlin) plus Mayo’s ability to dominate Dublin, even when accounting for the absence of the dismissed Stephen Cluxton, there were positives to be taken, too. Substitute Mickey Sweeney scored 1-1 (McLoughlin acting as provider for that goal), and Jason Doherty might well have had a third Mayo goal had he not been so hasty in picking a loose ball off the ground.
“I’d say overall we were happy how we performed, in the attack, but maybe we do need to tighten up a little in defence. But we certainly feel we still got something out of it. It was our own downfall that we actually failed to win. Dublin can score goals, and that’s something we have to tighten up on.
"We started again well in the second half, but those goals at the end, really, were what caught us. But we're just aiming at the Derry game now, on Sunday. It's a must win game for us, simple as that."
Awkward questions
McLoughlin also faced some awkward questions over how exactly Cluxton got himself sent off, on 28 minutes: it was McLoughlin who was tripped from behind, by the Dublin goalkeeper and captain, and while McLoughlin wasn't exactly scathing of the incident, he wasn't exactly forgiving either,
“Yeah, to be honest I just felt a bit of a kick. Yeah and it hurt a bit too. I suppose I just ran in his way, to stop him from kicking the ball out quickly, and I suppose he just retaliated, felt maybe I went over the line a little bit. But it was the referee’s decision after that.”
All this means Dublin also need to beat Tyrone in their final game in Omagh on Sunday, while Kerry can only qualify for the semi-finals if they beat Cork in Tralee, while hoping that Mayo and Dublin booth lose. Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice will still be without some first-choice players, confirming that forward Declan O’Sullivan won’t be returning until after the last round of the league, while Kieran Donaghy is also facing a longer than expected rehab period.
Kerry are planning a warm-weather training camp in the Algarve, from April 17th-22nd, which would see them back in the country in time for the league finals, on April 27th, if they are still in the mix.
