Mayo retaining their status in Division One of the National League isn't overly important according to former attacking star Conor Mortimer. The Shrule-Glencorrib man is no stranger to the feel of the green and red jersey on his back and believes that championship success is the only show in town.  

As Kevin McStay and his squad prepare for Sunday's pivotal league clash against Tyrone, Mortimer knows, when it comes to the crunch there’s only one competition that truly matters to the people of Mayo.

'Halting Galway would be a big shot in the arm'

“It’s not the be-all and end-all to be in Division One of the National League. For the likes of Mayo, we’ve won a few National Leagues over the last five or six years, the only goal for the squad and county is to win the All-Ireland, we all know that,” Mortimer told The Mayo News ahead of last night's Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final.

READ: 'It’s little wonder that fans feel disconnected' - Flynn's Mayo GAA column

That being said, many of these Mayo novices are yet to get their hands on the Nestor Cup. Galway are on the verge of winning four Connacht crowns in a row for the first time since the 1960s.

Mortimer sees the potential halting of Galway and scooping provincial honours as a big shot in the arm, and hopes the momentum spills over into the All-Ireland series.

“For these young fellas, winning a Connacht title is what they’re aiming for because they wouldn’t have a Connacht medal.

“Connacht will be very tough for Mayo this year, but provided they get past that perch and they get to an All-Ireland semi-final, they can start pushing on for an All-Ireland.

GAA PREVIEW: A lot hinges on Mayo's performance against Tyrone

“With the pressure from the crowd, that will only grow unless performances and results change,” the county's second highest all-time scorer explained.

The man who excelled at corner-forward in many big games for the county spoke with a glint in his eye as he labelled representing Mayo as a ‘dream.’

“This is their dream, to wear the red and green jersey and play for Mayo,” he stated.

“Particularly when you’re starting out, every game you play is like a championship game. Every game you play, you’ve got to make sure you don’t give that jersey to anyone else.”

'Relegation is not the be-all and end-all'

With the retirement of many of those who soldiered on through the trenches over the last 10-15 years for Mayo, the team is stocked with fresh blood.

Only Matthew Ruane, Ryan O’Donoghue and Enda Hession played both in the recent league match again Galway and the side’s last All-Ireland final appearance just three years ago.

The likes of Cian McHale and Fenton Kelly have made their bows this campaign in what has been an underwhelming start for Kevin McStay’s men.

When asked about the outside influences and pressures to perform in that green and red jersey, his words of advice to those treading the path today was to try and let the critics’ words fall on deaf ears.

“The only advice I can give at the minute is to keep the head down and play. Let the manager go and deal with the queries in terms of the supporters and have their soundbites for the media. For players, it should be arrive, train, play. That's it.”

Should Tyrone leave MacHale Park on Sunday afternoon with victory, the picture will be bleak surrounding Mayo’s chances of avoiding the drop into Division Two, but relegation wouldn't be a disaster according to one of the county's most decorated forwards. 

"It’s not the be-all and end-all," he repeated.

READ: Early season must win game for Mayo this weekend