Connacht football regained some of its battered reputation last year when Mayo took Meath to a replay in the All-Ireland final before succumbing to a last-gasp point. However, the repercussions from that controversial game were almost as sorely felt in Connacht as Cromwell's notorious curse. Mayo's resentment against being labelled the bad boys was only barely concealed - if concealed at all.
As a result, Sligo may well be forced to play the role of the sacrificial lamb in Hyde Park, Roscommon, tomorrow, when Mayo set out to retain the Connacht championship and return to Croke Park and a possible third tilt at Meath in championship fare within a year. It is easy to understand why Sligo have been written off, with the Western People going so far as to forecast a: "Stroll in the Park for Mayo". It is probably the same way of thinking which inspired the headline writer in the Sligo Champion to refer to the Sligo team as "The Boyzone of football".
Mayo have all the experience and power and Sligo have speed, youth and enthusiasm to burn. The contest between these contrasting approaches and styles should be fascinating. The fact that there was another controversial incident near the end of Mayo's semi-final match against Leitrim, which resulted in the loss of a vital cog in the Mayo attacking machine - Colm McManamon (suspended) - and the banning of their manager John Maughan from the team bench, has merely served to strengthen their resolve.
Sligo, on the other hand, have little to lose and a lot to gain, even if that falls short of victory. They shocked Roscommon in the semifinal. Sligo scored three points without reply against the wind in the opening nine minutes. However, a very uncertain patch followed that three-point blitz in the first half and Roscommon scored nine points without reply. Should they allow Mayo the same sort of latitude, I fear they would not be allowed so easily off the hook.
The loss of Philip Neary is a cruel blow for Sligo. A leading member of the "Boyzone" faction in the side, his speed and shooting skills will be sorely missed. Sligo are not short of other scoring forwards, notably Paul Taylor at full forward. He looked a quality player against Roscommon, while Eamon O'Hara at centre forward has a proven track record.
O'Hara could be the key to a good Sligo performance. His marker, James Nallen, has a penchant for roaming and if he chooses to leave O'Hara unmarked, the Sligoman is capable of causing a considerable amount of havoc in the Mayo defence.
He will be ably assisted by Taylor, second only to Maurice Fitzgerald of Kerry in the scoring lists for the preliminary rounds of the National League.
Sligo might also attempt to use the dash and daring of Dessie Sloyane in an attempt to expose Dermot Flanagan's perceived lack of pace. Sligo will attack along the wings in a bid to turn the Mayo defenders and put pressure on the full back line, particularly Pat Holmes.
However, Sligo will surely struggle at midfield. Mayo's Liam McHale is due an outstanding match and if he and Pat Fallon hit top form, Sligo's Paul Durcan and Dermot Kevaney will be hard put to match them.
Fallon is playing the best football of his life following a recent diagnosis that he is suffering from asthma. The diagnosis explained a breathing problem in moments of pressure. That problem has now been addressed. Sligo may become the first victim of his new-found well-being. Sligo must get off to a steady start. Mayo will try to turn the screw early in the match. The first 15 or 20 minutes are therefore crucial. Nothing other than a convincing Mayo win can be envisaged. What is important for football in Connacht is a good performance from Sligo. Manager Mickey Moran has, without question, brought a new dimension to Sligo football and a creditable performance would be seen as an indication that the county can be successful at the top level. But not, one suspects, just yet.
