‘We’re focused on the league’ - Kevin McStay looks forward to Mayo’s league final against Kerry

KEVIN McStay has said that Mayo will not ‘be looking ahead or behind’ as they prepare to face Kerry in the Division 1 National Football League Final. 

The Mayo manager played down concerns about Mayo’s packed fixture schedule, which includes a Connacht championship opener the week after the league final. 

Speaking to the press after today’s win over Donegal, McStay insisted that Mayo were focused on a ‘massive’ game against The Kingdom in Croke Park. 

“We have to stay in the present. We are around long enough as players now and management to understand what the challenges will be, but there is only one thing we’re focused on, and this mightn’t suit ye, but we’re focused on the league now,” said McStay.

^{Mayo manager Kevin McStay speaking to match referee Joe McQuillan during Mayo's Division 1 National Football League win over Donegal}

“We have the league final next Sunday, that’s our focus and we’ll come out of that and we’ll turn our attention to whatever else is put in front of us. That’s the only way we can do it. It’s helter-skelter, we have found now, one day at a time, one match at a time, suits Mayo grand and not to be looking ahead or behind.”

Reflecting on a league campaign which saw Mayo win four games, lose twice and draw once, McStay said their fitness, squad depth and familiarity with the new rules had all improved. 

The Mayo boss, who is facing his second league final as manager, described the current Division 1 as ‘the most competitive’ in the history of the current league structure. 

Further reaction from Kevin McStay will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.