Over the weekend I noticed first-hand the crowd energy ebb and flow alongside the game. Naturally supporters are clapping moments of brilliance and scolding someone in others. Which is different for a player. They train diligently to remain present in the moment.
On the Saturday you saw similar with the battle between Kerry and Tyrone, with Paudie Clifford and Conor Meyler as close to each other as they deemed necessary. Both top players. Desperate to do the job for the team that they have been entrusted with.Kerry’s Paudie Clifford and Conor Meyler of Tyrone during their All-Ireland senior championship quarter-final at Croke Park.
In addition the depth and mix to their team is built nicely. The experience of players like Ryan Wylie, the exuberance of Gary Mohan, quality of Conor McManus and the form of players like Conor McCarthy. Their next game is against Dublin, a team they relegated to Division Two just over a year ago in Clones. They will no doubt be really looking forward to that opportunity. Croke Park. Another full-throated travelling support. Another chance to knock Dublin out.
Two big moments. Neither materialised for Mayo. Dublin just had way too much from all angles. The next day for them it’s a Monaghan team they will know very well. Clones last year is a recent example of what could happen.