Mayo have secured safe passage into the Connacht SFC final, defeating Leitrim by a huge 24-point scoreline at McHale Park this afternoon.
It was a game that very few expected James Horan's side to have any trouble with and that indeed turned out to be the case. It was all but over as a contest after ten minutes, with the remaining hour or so making for rather grim viewing.
In the end, the final scoreline would be 5-20 to 0-11, and that was after Mayo seemed to ease up in the final quarter.
It was difficult not to take pity on Leitrim on this occasion. A scoreline such as this one was always likely against a county who will be three divisions above them in the National Football League in 2022.
What's more, their summer is now over due to a lack of a backdoor system this year.
Joe Brolly summed up the whole situation nicely on Twitter.
This is most unfair. Really it is a disgrace. Leitrim being humiliated. Everyone’s time being wasted. Commentary & punditry team forced to go into patronising mode (“Leitrim giving it their best”, “Lovely effort by Dolan, really deserved a point”). GAA ought to be ashamed.
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) July 11, 2021
It is enraging that the GAA inflicts this humiliation year in year out on small counties that are working so hard to keep communities healthy and playing the games.
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) July 11, 2021
The Taitleann Cup will offer some sort of opportunity for the likes of Leitrim from next year, although such hammerings in the provincial competitions look set to continue.
Should the four provincial championships be scrapped in favour of a different championship format? There were differing views on that in The Sunday Game studio at halftime.
Pat Spillane and Sean Cavanagh suggested that there was a still a place for the provincial championships although more needed to be done to ensure the likes of Leitrim could be more competitive. Cora Staunton believed that a senior, intermediate, and junior championship structure (such as is present in ladies football) could be the way forward.
All agreed that some major changes were needed in terms of helping counties such as Leitrim reach their full potential.
'The easy thing to say is, "get rid of the provincial championship" - that's wrong'
Pat Spillane, Cora Staunton and Seán Cavanagh discuss the current state of football after a one-sided first half in Castlebar
📱Updates: https://t.co/6aYfNjmsSp
📺 Live: https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY pic.twitter.com/Wo5lSzsU5T— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 11, 2021
There was also an argument made that the game did even less for Mayo .
'I would Mayo are at a disadvantage going into the Galway game'
Cora Staunton and Seán Cavanagh assess Mayo ahead of the Connacht SFC final
📱Updates: https://t.co/6aYfNjmsSp
📺 Live: https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/EeBLza3gnB— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 11, 2021
In fact, James Horan had some of the players did featured out doing runs on the pitch after the final whistle. Sean Cavanagh suggested that summed up how easy it all was for Mayo:
It tells you all you need to know about how easy it was for Mayo when you've got Tommy Conroy, Com Boyle, Patrick Durcan are doing runs behind us right now.
The biggest challenge Mayo will have is that their players are almost softened by these games. Now they're out doing 80-metre runs to top up in terms of fitness.
That's where we're at.
While the 2021 championship presented a number of logistical challenges for the GAA, it is beyond belief that no qualifier system is in place for the football competition.
Some teams will play four games in the entirety of the 2021 season, a disgraceful number when you consider the commitment involved in training at inter-county level.
Joe Brolly was far from the only one to share his concern after the latest one-sided game in the championship.
This game is no good for anyone! #mayo #leitrim
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) July 11, 2021
Seriously! Can SOMEBODY in @officialgaa call a meeting this week to review how well the Football Championship is going? #Mayo v #Leitrim is just the latest game that is completely free of excitement, drama or even a sense of competition.
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) July 11, 2021
Feel sorry for Leitrim players having to endure that mismatch in Castlebar on live tv. What a complete waste of time for everyone involved.
— Paddy McKenna (@PaddyMcKenna) July 11, 2021
Provincial Football, no other sporting org would stand for competitions that 90% of games are completely one sided! Marty talking about pride and trying hard! Leitrim don't want pity they need a competive graded structured championship that gives all teams a chance of success.
— Paudie Malone GDA (@GdaNorthTipp) July 11, 2021
Although the Leitrim players will not want to be pitied, it's hard to feel anything else at this stage.
SEE ALSO: Jim McGuinness Has No Sympathy For Ronan McNamee After Red Card
