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Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stephen Rochford steps into the Mayo breach once more after tumultuous fortnight
The Stephen Rochford Files are littered with occasions when he pulled rabbits from the hat - many of them proving to be masterstrokes. But for Mayo to reach the relative sanctuary of a two week break until an All-Ireland semi-final, Rochford will have to perform perhaps his greatest magic trick yet. It's been a tumultuous week and a half - even by Mayo standards - starting with a shock Sam Maguire Round 1 defeat by Cavan at MacHale Park. Then Kevin McStay suffered a serious health scare and has since stepped aside with Rochford taking over as Mayo manager. To cap it all, GAA top brass, Jarlath Burns and Tom Ryan, held a crisis meeting with the clubs of Mayo and the County Board officials amid concerns over financial issues and allegations of intimidation and harassment. It could all elicit a backlash against Tyrone next Saturday night at Healy Park, and with a smarting Mayo having two weeks to prepare, against Malachy O'Rourke's side who have just seven days after a statement win over Donegal, it's set up for the visitors to go after it. However, Mayo's head to head defeat by Cavan is disastrous and means they may require a win and a draw against Tyrone and Donegal to stay afloat this season. Given that Rochford is already assistant manager/Head Coach the lift from a change of manager may not be there, but there could well be a strong on-field statement of support from the players for McStay. But, this is a management team, that barring a giant leap forward in the coming weeks, were possibly in their final year after failing to make it to Croke Park last year, and taking a hammering from Dublin in an All-Ireland quarter-final when they got there the year before. The alternative perspective has it that they drew with Dublin last year in the All-Ireland group stages, narrowly missing out on topping their group, and only lost to Derry after extra-time in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final. They should be Connacht champions too, having blown it in the final quarter against Galway, getting four points from a posssible 19 on offer while their opponents got four out of five playing into a stiff breeze to win by two But with Galway completing a Connacht four-in-a-row, that doesn't cut it with a lot of Mayo fans. If you take out the four week run from the All-Ireland quarter-final to the All-Ireland final, Rochford has literally four and a half weeks of high pressure and almost guaranteed mayhem to make something of Mayo's 2025 season. The type of football acumen he possesses is absolutely vital in the biggest games where teams know each other inside out and every little tactical edge could be the inch that gets you over the line. But, if Mayo get to an All-Ireland semi-final - a long way off right now - what sort of shape will they be in? Will they go more gung-ho, which seems to suit them, and less pragmatic. That's a style issue rather than a tactical one. Rochford could well come up with something though. The biggest rabbit he ever pulled from the hat was putting Aidan O'Shea at full back to tag Kieran Donaghy in the 2017 All-Ireland semi-final draw and replay - a decision that was heavily criticised. Rochford weighed up the wreck Donaghy caused Mayo full backs, as far back as the 2006 All-Ireland final and on into the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final draw abd replay, and figured the only one who could match Donaghy's power was O'Shea. Mayo won the replay. Rochford had the courage of his convictions and was proved right. He didn't ignore history and opt for blind loyalty. Then there was Alan Dillon, not named, but starting against Tyrone in the 2016 All-Ireland quarter-final. A rabbit from the hat, who pulled the strings and laid the foundations for victory before being taken off at half-time. Tyrone weren't ready for him and had to make a tactical substitution after 20 minutes. Dillon had more touches of the ball in the first half than any other player on the pitch, picking out key passes against Tyrone's double sweeper system. His replacement, Tom Parsons had more touches than anyone else in the second half. Job done. Then there was Paddy Durcan man marking Kevin McManamon in the 2016 All-Ireland final and the Dublin man, who was in Footballer of the Year form going into the game, being taken off. Also, Lee Keegan man marking Enda Smith at midfield in the 2017 All-Ireland quarter-final replay and hitting 1-3 from play was another big call that paid off. The year before Keegan marked Sean Cavanagh, Michael Quinlivan and Diarmuid Connolly on the way to landing the Footballer of the Year award. Rochford later went to Donegal, alongside Declan Bonner as a coach, and helped them to the 2019 Ulster Championship. He clearly relishes the detail at this level and the on field coaching time with the players, and it's no coincidence that after his spell as Mayo manager he went in as a coach alongside Bonner and then McStay. At times, Crossmolina All-Ireland winner Rochford didn't look like he relished his media duties as Mayo manager, but this latest post is a stand-in role. Mayo, though, are not in a great place. When Rochford led them to the 2016 and 2017 All-Ireland Finals, they had possibly the county's greatest ever player in Keegan and a forward who would win Footballer of the Year in 2017 in Andy Moran. He also had serious competitors in the likes of Keith Higgins, Colm Boyle, Chris Barrett, Seamus O'Shea, David Clarke, Tom Parsons, Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O'Shea, the O'Connor brothers - Cillian and Diarmuid - and more. All of the above are gone, bar O'Shea, who is 34 and Diarmuid O'Connor who has serious miles on the clock and has taken a lot of punishment for the cause. Patrick Durcan is plagued by injury. Tommy Conroy hasn't been seen this year. His pace is sorely missed for the three-up. The pieces Rochford has to play aren't the same. If you don't have the pieces, you can't move them around. Rochford could do with two Ryan O'Donoghues inside and another at number 11. The new 3-up game also means he can't deploy the type of mass defence that frustrated Dubin in the 2016 drawn All-Ireland final, and held them to 2-9, admittedly in awful wet conditions. But, holding a Jim Gavin team to 2-9 in an All-Ireland final is fair going. Needs must, and he elected to abandon the front foot football of the James Horan era to try and get the job done. Rochford will need all of that acumen he's shown in the past and more over the coming month if he's to save Mayo's season and get them back on track again in his unexpected and unwanted second coming as manager.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland boss hopes to head off World Cup club v country row
Ireland Under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien says he will be 'in communication' with clubs over the coming months in a bid to bring as strong a squad as possible to the World Cup in November. Several members of his latest squad are currently playing senior football in the League of Ireland, including Shamrock Rovers duo Michael Noonan and Victor Ozhianvuna. Rovers are in League of Ireland action until November 1, with the FAI Cup taking place a week later. And last year they were still in Europe going into November and December. With the World Cup falling outside of an official FIFA international window - O'Brien will have to rely on the goodwill of club managers to release their players for the tournament. 'It's one we've got to manage and just watch as time unfolds over the summer,' said O'Brien. 'Certain teams might have leagues wrapped up, might be in or out of cups, but look, the World Cup, you want your best players. 'What an opportunity to showcase individuals from our clubs in this country as well. For me, you won't get a better stage for young players. But it's something I'm very aware of and I will be in communication with clubs. At the end of the day, the players are contracted to the clubs. But we'll want our best players for the World Cup. 'Hopefully when you're asking me that question in late September, early October, we have more clarity on it.' O'Brien hopes club bosses see the bigger picture when it comes to the World Cup. 'It's historic for this age group, absolutely,' he said, of Ireland's first ever qualification at this level. 'I saw those teams that qualified under Brian Kerr and got to those World Cups, and it can really absolutely kick a player's career on. 'They are on the world stage. You are going to have every confederation, every scout, not just from Europe but from all over the world, looking at all these kids, and we are right in there. 'Of course it can have a bounce for the players, for their career. But as a head coach you have to make sure that it is very important about their player development. 'But any player that comes into our Under-17 set up has to understand that the team is the biggest star, and they all have to come on board with that. 'Of course the player can get a big bounce for their future, and the country as a whole.'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'It's just to threaten them a little so they behave themselves'
Alan Reynolds knows there's no such thing as a quiet getaway and fully expects his phone to be hopping next week. The League of Ireland veers into its two-week 'summer break' after tomorrow's games and Reynolds and his players will go their separate ways until the following Friday. But with the transfer window opening in a matter of weeks, and loan star Sean Grehan about to be recalled by Crystal Palace, Reynolds knows he will get no peace in Spain. "You're always looking to see if anything pops up,' said the Bohemians boss ahead of tomorrow's Dalymount Park clash with Derry City. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "It's still a bit away and the focus is on tomorrow but I suppose over the break and the next few weeks there will be more players available. Sean Grehan is going, we've a few injuries and one or two others might go. 'But I'd also say that the players want to stay in the UK first before coming, so we'll see if players in this country become available.' Reynolds knows there are pitfalls to signing players in the UK who might be returning home, in the middle of a League of Ireland season. 'Last year we signed four or five and it was extremely difficult for them,' he said. 'Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy being two, Leigh Kavanagh, and it took us ages to get them up to speed and then they were breaking down with niggles and the season ends. 'We got a big pre-season into them and that's why we came back early, for the likes of those lads. It's a challenge and something you need to be careful of.' But Reynolds is gutted to see centre-back Grehan returning to Palace, even if it was always the plan for the 21-year-old who made the move from Bohs in 2023 before his loan switch, and another with Carlisle United. Grehan chipped in with three precious goals and two of them were injury-time winners against St Pat's and away to Galway United, when he scored both goals in a 2-1 win. Reynolds said: 'He's been outstanding. His first game for us was actually coming on as a half-time sub away to Derry. It was an eye opener for him but he kept an eye on the league and he knew it. He knew a lot of the lads as well which helped. 'We got a really good footballer and he really cared about it. It wasn't just bringing a lad in with no connection to the club, Sean had a big connection with Bohs. 'I knew Sean from the 21s and knew what we were getting. I saw him play against Turkey and Italy, tough games, and knew he would be very good.' Reynolds continued: 'The loan worked out perfectly for him. He came over and got first-team experience. We had another lad, Kian Best, over (from England) who the loan hasn't worked out for. "The difference is Sean has been here and knows what the league is about. Kian came here and had no idea what he was coming into and it's a tough league." While Reynolds will give his players free rein until they return on Friday week, they have all been weighed so 'Rennie' and his staff will have a handle on their week away. The former midfield general doesn't want to stray too far down the sports science route, but accepts it's part of the game nowadays. Reynolds said: 'When I was playing for Waterford, I was working on the drinks lorry, delivering drink. It was like my gym exercise, going upstairs with crates of drink, beer, whatever! That was my gym stuff and I didn't know it at the time. But now it's changed so much. It can be too complicated at times. You just have to read the room as a manager. 'We've spoken to the players about things (during the break) and I suppose it's just to threaten them a little bit and behave themselves - they are young lads. There was no controlling me unfortunately at that stage but no, leave them off, enjoy the break and we'll get cracking again.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chelsea make Maresca history with unforgettable comeback in UEL final
Chelsea found their lethal touch in Poland, making history and ending Enzo Maresca's first season in charge on a high note with a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final. The Blues travelled to Wrocław aware that a win would make them the only team in history to clinch all four Uefa titles - but they got off to the worst possible start. It was Abde Ezzalzouli who fired home a low shot from the corner of the box after being expertly set up by a perfectly weighted reverse pass from former Real Madrid maestro, Isco. It seemed like more goals were inevitable. The veteran Spanish midfielder continued to pull the strings as Betis threatened to run riot as Chelsea covered up the ropes. But their failure to land a knockout second open the door open for Chelsea, who restored parity through the impressive Enzo Fernandez. Cole Palmer grabbed his second assist of the night moments later when he floated a perfect ball in for Nicolas Jackson to nudge Chelsea ahead. That set the stage for Jadon Sancho to step up and finish the game off in style with a fine curled shot inside the final 10 minutes before Moises Caicedo grabbed a fourth in stoppage time. Chelsea knew that victory in Wroclaw would make them the first club to win all four major Uefa honours - but that golden opportunity almost passed them by. The Blues' second half salvage mission ensured they travelled back to London with another European gong. And while Chelsea have more prestigious trophies in their silverware cabinet, 'completing the set' in Europe is a pretty cool blag. Cole Palmer often pockets the lion's share of the plaudits when things go well for Chelsea but Enzo Fernandez has silently grown into a real pillar of strength for the Blues this term. A stellar World Cup campaign earned him a blockbuster transfer to Stamford Bridge but he looked a shell of the player that marshalled Argentina to a world title. He's been a player reborn, though, this term and he stepped up in to deliver in another big moment to pull Chelsea back from the brink. The Blues star has now broken through the 20 goal contribution milestone - and his header was the perfect way to cap a fine campaign. Chelsea were almost blown away by Real Betis inside the first half hour - and that was largely down to their dominance on the flanks. Malo Gusto, playing in the inverted full-back role which has become English football's shiny new toy, won't be rushing to watch the game back and was predictably withdrawn at the break. Real Betis targeted the space that the Blues right-back vacated every time he drifted infield to great effect in the first half; so much so that Chelsea were fortunate to still be in the game at half-time. Unfortunately for Betis, they lived to regret their failure to kill Chelsea off... The enigma that is Antony has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance since joining Betis on loan in January to leave his Manchester United struggles behind. In fact, the winger has been so impressive that United could end up fielding interest from multiples suitors, which did not feel likely back at the turn of the year. All eyes were on Betis' dangerman in Wroclaw but, in truth, he was largely anonymous with Isco instead taking centre-stage. The veteran was Betis' chief orchestrator as they ran rings around Chelsea in the first half and deserved to be on the winning side before his team's second half collapse. But Antony did not look like the same player who has dumbfounded his Premier League critics. He failed to influence the game and, while he has seemingly found an environment in which he can flourish, his future is unclear amid doubts that Betis can finance a permanent move. Progress is rarely linear and in the case of Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, it's been a mixed campaign. The Italian had already ticked the most important box before even stepping off the plane in Poland, though, by clinching a golden ticket to the Champions League. If we're being blunt, finishing in the top four and winning this competition was the mission and he's achieved it. Chelsea haven't always convinced in terms of performances level but, to Maresca's credit, his changes in the second half proved influential. Just a few weeks ago it felt like the jury was still out on the former Leicester City chief. For now, Maresca gets a pass.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
‘We're up against it' - Ireland coach's dire warning over lack of funding
Ireland Under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien has warned that Irish football risks falling way behind if Government funding for academies is not secured. O'Brien has led the Boys in Green to a first ever World Cup qualification at Under-17s level, where they will play Paraguay, Panama and Uzbekistan in the group stages. Their most recent European progression came in 2023, when a Lamine Yamal-inspired Spain eliminated Ireland at the quarter-final stage. It's not the big boys that O'Brien sees accelerating their youth development - he is aware of huge leaps being made beyond the top-tier sides. And a failure to make the Irish system fit for purpose will have devastating consequences for the game in this country at all levels, right up to the senior international team. 'I see it. I'm on the coal front. We're up against it,' he warned. 'We are competitive, but if we want to keep in those competitive layers, we have to secure funding. 'I'll always say this, it's not the Tier 1 countries I'd be comparing ourselves to, the Portugals, the Spains, they're just all on a different level completely and have been right through their history. 'I'm talking now about the Eastern Bloc countries. I'm talking about Tier 3 countries, Scandinavian countries. 'They are all developing and accelerating their resources and developments every year. ''For us to be in that mix, we really have to secure the funding. 'I think a lot of the plan is ready to push. The clubs have a lot of ideas that they want to do. 'But I think for me, then it allows getting full-time people in and working with the players at a younger age. It's going to be vital to our future.' O'Brien hopes that Ireland's success in reaching the World Cup - as one of just 11 European nations out of 54 to progress to November's tournament in Qatar - can move the funding conversation forward. 'I'm obviously very passionate about this as well because I've come through the whole system in this country,' said the former Cork City midfielder. 'I've played schoolboys, I've played Munster Senior League, I've played League of Ireland. 'I've dedicated myself to working with young players like a lot of people in this country and across different parts of the country. 'Yes, I think the Government could look at the World Cup, absolutely, but whether it's the World Cup or not, we have to secure funding. It has to be secured to progress basically. 'That funding, rightly (has to go on) infrastructure, facilities, but for me, we have to get expertise working in clubs that are full-time. 'That's going to take a long time to get, but it's going to have to start on the coaching side, on the administration side, on the performance side. 'The supports that need to go into our clubs earlier in order for us to progress and compete at international levels.' Ireland qualified for the World Cup as one of the best runners up in the qualifiers for the European Championships. UEFA's decision to reduce the tournament from 16 teams to eight meant that O'Brien's side missed out on this month's finals - but their performances in the qualifiers earned them the huge consolation prize of a spot in Qatar, where the tournament will consist of 48 teams. Putting Ireland's qualification into context, O'Brien said: 'Spain haven't qualified for this. 'At senior level, we all know about them, and another country that would be a huge powerhouse in youth football is the Netherlands, two of those countries haven't qualified for this. 'We have. We're doing something right. 'I'm doing this a while now, this is my eighth year and this will be our fifth major competition for this age group. We've been to four European finals and this will be our first World Cup. 'What can it do for the country? It can inspire, it can showcase the talent we have. 'To get out of Europe, it's an incredible achievement and one that has to be acknowledged, but now we have to move on… 'How do we make that the norm is the question that probably ties into the whole Government, the whole facilities, funding.' Preparations for the World Cup begin next week when Ireland head to Croatia for friendlies against three Under-18 sides - Norway (June 4), Turkey (June 7) and Croatia (June 9).
