FOR A SIXTH straight year, Mayo have booked their place in the All-Ireland quarter-final. But this time around they appear to be stumbling rather than steamrolling their way into the last eight.
It’s the inconsistency of Mayo’s recent performances that makes it hard to warm to their chances of September glory. Manager Stephen Rochford knows that his team will need to sustain a performance for far longer than the 10-minute bursts of quality they’ve provided so far.
“The good with the bad,” Rochford said after Saturday’s 3-15 to 1-14 win over Westmeath. “In the first-half, we scored 2-10, created another seven or eight chances.
“We were disappointed to give away the goal before half-time. We need to review the tape to get a handle on what the second-half presented to us.”
Mayo scored 2-8 in a devastating 15 minute spell before half-time, not unlike their victory against Kildare in the previous round. They took their foot off the gas after the interval, allowing Westmeath a way back into the game.
It’s a familiar pattern for Mayo, who need to find their ruthless streak quickly as Tyrone loom on the horizon.
“At times during the Fermanagh and Kildare games, and again today, we played really, really well,” said full-forward Andy Moran. “And I would hope that in those moments is our real form.
“I’ve been involved a long time now and I’ve never got a run like this in the qualifiers. This is our first day in Croker in 2016, which is unlike us, because usually you get a game against Dublin or something like a League semi-final.”
In some respects, facing Tyrone is an ideal scenario for Mayo. They’ve come through three tricky rounds of qualifiers and the Ulster champions will arrive into the game on Saturday evening as favourites.
But Mayo have plenty of big-game experience at Croke Park and will relish facing Tyrone, even if key players like Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O’Shea and Keith Higgins have not convinced in their roles this season.
Westmeath’s double-sweeper system troubled Mayo, particularly in the early stages. Tyrone will also look to flood their defense, and look to breakaway with lightning fast counter attacks.
“Certainly, their transition from the turnovers will be very, very pacy,” continued Rochford.
“Their system to date has been the two sweepers in place. In seven days, we will know if it was a benefit. But this was a tough game. Tough games are better preparation, certainly in preparing for the type of challenge a team like Tyrone can present.”
“It’s fascinating,” added Moran. “It’s going to be good to sit down, watch them during the week and see what they do.
“We all seen the Ulster final. It was a bit of cat and mouse. We will go round, try to manufacture a game plan that will suit playing against them. Are they a good team? Most certainly. Anyone that comes out of Ulster is a good team.
“A few of us went to Jordanstown. Myself Cillian [O'Connor] and Evan [Regan] played with a lot of the Tyrone boys. You’d have huge respect for the boys they have in the backroom team. But this week is going to be about us.”
Rochford confirmed afterwards that Diarmuid O’Connor is expected to return to the starting team this weekend. O’Connor was absent on Saturday after suffering another bang in training to the dead leg he sustained against Fermanagh.
Can you see Mayo putting it up to Tyrone? Or is it a bridge too far for Stephen Rochford’s men? Let us know in the comments section below.
