COLUMN: Mayo stars shine in style under Moran’s guidance

I haven’t always looked forward to Mayo games in recent years, but Sunday’s clash with Galway had me genuinely excited.

Maybe it was the sense of a new mood around the county, the optimism in conversations with friends back home, or simply the presence of Andy Moran.

Having played alongside him, I knew the spark he would bring to the team. From the first whistle, that energy was clear.

What struck me most was the intensity Mayo brought to the game. For a National League opener in January, the tempo and fitness levels were clear.

It wasn’t just about running hard: it was about purposeful, high-speed, attacking football from the outset.

Galway tried to match it as best they could, but Mayo’s pace, urgency, and willingness to attack space made them look a step ahead.

SHARP AND DELIBERATE

Mayo’s energy didn’t just appear in moments of open play. Even when Galway packed their defence, the ball circulation from Mayo was rapid, urgent, and intelligent.

In past years, Mayo might have slowed play, passing safely, waiting for openings.

You didn’t see that on Sunday. The passes looked sharp, and the movement looked deliberate. The result was scoring opportunities that exploited the smallest gaps, and a few quick touches later, players like Jordan Flynn were kicking over points from distance.

That’s the benefit of urgency and smart ball movement - luring defenders in, creating space, and taking advantage when it appears.

Mayo also performed particularly well on the breaks in the opening stages of the game.

We saw a lot of long kick-outs in those early stages. No-one was allowed any clean fielding. 

It was apt that Bob Tuohy was the man who caught the final ball on his own penalty spot, when Galway were going for the equalising goal late on.

He was a fulcrum there in midfield for Mayo. He was using his height to great effect, his long arms, contesting high balls, making sure Galway fellas didn't feel the ball cleanly.

It was the sort of midfield performance, I don't think we've seen from a Mayo team, maybe since the likes of Barry Moran or Seamus O'Shea, doing that sort of dirty work. It's so important.

SPARK

Another thing I had a keen eye on was how Ryan O'Donoghue fared out the field. 

He was heavily involved throughout both halves. And you get to see not only his scoring ability, but his passing ability. He had a couple of great passes. His cleverness, his willingness to beat a man, drop a shoulder, find a bit of space.

When Mayo were under pressure halfway through the second half when Galway had a real run on them, he made his mark again.

He picked up the ball in the middle of the field, recognised the space in front of him, drove into it and played the pass to McBrien. That inevitably ends up in the goal for Cian McHale. That was the key score.

Rob Hennelly’s return in goal was another major positive. During the period of the game when Mayo were under pressure, you saw the value of Rob.

He'll be disappointed that he didn't do better with the first goal, but he more than made up for it with some of the saves he made later on in the game. There was a fantastic double save, and he hit a couple of important frees as well.

ONE-ON-ONE

IT was a brave tactical set-up from the outset. There was a lot of man-on-man play early in that game out around the middle of the field. A lot of times, young McGreal and Hession had to be one-on-one in acres of space.

It's a risk, but it paid off because Mayo were dominant around the middle in that period.

Mayo’s composure and athleticism allowed them to weather the storm. Players like Sam Callinan impressed, showing both defensive skill and the ability to carry the ball forward under pressure.

His late block on Shane Walsh, recovering after hitting the floor, exemplified the physical and mental toughness on display.

If there was one criticism for the Mayo players, they carried the ball too much into contested areas. That’s one aspect Andy will certainly look at.

Up front, Mayo’s finishing was impressive. The goals showed a sense of composure and ability to find time and space. Darragh Beirne’s National League debut was particularly impressive, and his precise performance will give Mayo confidence moving forward.

If they keep this up, you'll have a Mayo team that'll be competitive in any game. If you score three goals and five two-pointers, to have that quality of scores outside of your normal one-pointers, you're in a game and have a huge opportunity of winning.

In the past, we've talked about the struggles that Mayo have had in terms of kicking two-pointers and there has been a remarkable turnaround.

I thought that was a real positive way to start the National League. In some ways, it's not surprising at all when you consider the two men who are involved with this Mayo team.

The way that Mayo played was a clear reflection of Andy Moran and Colm Boyle’s personality as players, and I think all Mayo supporters will be happy for that to continue.