Andy expects Mayo to bounce into Croker

SEVENTEEN years after lighting up Mayo's summer with a goal against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, Andy Moran will be back in Croke Park next Sunday.
In 2006 he was introduced as a second-half sub by Mickey Moran and famously scored the goal which turned the tide and sent Mayo towards a hard-earned 1-16 to 2-12 victory.
That rousing contest will also be remembered for 'The Mill at The Hill' when both teams warmed up in front of Hill 16. Those shenanigans are unlikely to re-occur ahead of next Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final, but Andy Moran is expecting another exciting encounter between two counties who have given fans so much drama over the years.
“As soon as the draw was made this morning, the buzz began. Games between Mayo and Dublin are always special and Sunday could be another one of those,” he told The Mayo News last night (Monday).
“Of course there isn't much time to prepare for it because we had to get over Galway yesterday, but there's a great buzz around the place now and everyone wants to talk football again.”
The former Footballer of the Year was in Pearse Stadium to see his fellow Ballaghaderreen clubman David McBrien score the crucial second-half goal which propelled Mayo to victory over the old enemy. Ballagh’ was a proud place to be in the aftermath.
“There's great delight here in the club. David is a great lad and it was an amazing moment for him. He's had a lot of hardship with injury in recent years and to see him getting up there and getting the goal yesterday was brilliant.
“He can't dwell on it though. Sunday is literally yesterday's news now. The lads have to put every ounce of focus into the task in front of them and go all-in next Sunday. They have to go for it and I've no doubt they will,” the former Mayo captain said before casting his eye over the opponents waiting in the wings.
“I hear people saying Dublin are blowing hot and cold, but I wouldn't take a bit of heed of that. They remind me of the great Crossmolina team. No matter what was happening all year, when it came to the business end of the championship they had the wherewithal to get the job done when needed. Dublin are like that.
“They'll be ready for Sunday and the extra week's rest will do wonders for lads like Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Con O'Callaghan.”
That rest period enjoyed by Dublin, Kerry, Armagh and Derry seemed like a huge advantage to Moran last week, but after Mayo's performance in Salthill his thought-process isn't as clear cut.
“Our lads will have got great energy from yesterday. There will be a bounce in them going into next weekend now and it makes you wonder whether it was better to have a week off or play in a big game like that. Of course, it all comes down to recovery time too and injuries and the likes, but Mayo aren't in a bad place at all after Sunday.”
Finally, after many famous days in Croke Park in the Mayo jersey would Andy Moran like to be running out onto the sacred sod again next weekend?
“Not a hope. There's a time for everything and when I was playing I loved it. Now, I'm definitely a fan, bringing my young lad around after the game looking for autographs. Time moves on very quickly and I'll be shouting as loud as anyone in Croke Park next Sunday.”