INTERVIEW: Captain Jack aiming to plunder Kingdom riches in All-Ireland final

THESE are truly special times for Jack Coyne.

When the phone rang, and Andy Moran was offering the tigrish defender the honour of captaining his county, it was a moment of pride for himself, his family, and his club, Ballyhaunis.

However, on Sunday afternoon, the opportunity which awaits him is in a whole new stratosphere.

Come 5.30pm, if everything falls Mayo’s way, Coyne will follow in the footsteps of Séamus O’Malley and Seán Flanagan by scaling the 35 steps of the Hogan Stand and hoisting Sam Maguire to the heavens.

When sitting down to speak to the press ahead of his 28th and arguably most important championship game of his career, the corner-back spoke on the core principle of being the main man in the dressing room.

“The thing it entails the most is probably being true to yourself as who you are. Andy expressed that when I got the role,” Coyne said.​

“He was like, 'you got it for a reason, so don't try and change your personality.’ I'd have a quiet word with a lad here or there; I wouldn't speak for the sake of speaking.

“If I see something I feel there's a need to talk about, I would, but if you're speaking constantly without a reason, it loses its impact. It's just being a support to lads if he might be injured, or struggling for a bit of form.”

IN KEITH'S FOOTSTEPS

THE Ballyhaunis club have churned out plenty of talent across the years. However, for the most recent of their crop on the big stage, his hero has been clear as day from one of the first times he ever laced up his boots and kicked ball.

The man in question is none other than Keith Higgins.

“Now he'd probably hate me talking about him, I've done it enough, but look at him, four-time All-Star, just a great fella.

“What a player he was for Mayo, both codes at the club also. I would have looked up to him a lot, both how he conducted himself off the field as well, just a really good person.

“We're fortunate he's involved with the group now as well, so the insights, particularly as a corner-back, are invaluable. He's probably the Numero Uno.”

ANOTHER GAME

Before long, the conversation inevitably turned to the challenge coming down the tracks. The winning machine of the Kingdom are a behemoth, and David Clifford, one of the greatest to ever play who will need serious minding by Coyne and company.

As a defender, there were certainly learnings to be taken from watching the Kingdom at home on the television against Dublin.

The hype has been in full flow around the county in the two-week buildup to July 26.

Flags are on every corner and in every garden. Dodgy songs are being released at pace, and there are enough candles lit to destroy the Ozone layer.

Mayo is humming with anticipation and festooned with green and red. However, for those select few in the inner sanctum, outside noise is never a concern, according to Coyne.

“As a playing group, it's the same as any other game. You're in your own little bubble when you're in an inner-county set-up.

“You're obviously aware of the excitement around the county, but when you're coming to training, you're worried about improving and training hard and trying to get into the team, so you just have to really focus on that, don't you?”

THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

The Mayo rearguard is one that has been under the microscope since day dot in 2026.

Cracks which were showing in the League were papered over as Moran’s men produced a solid campaign. Any chickens came home to roost that day against Roscommon in ugly fashion. However, since then, there has been an improvement game by game.

Two names that have shone at the tail end of the season are Enda Hession and Eoin McGreal, both of whom came in for particular mention from their defensive comrade and skipper.

“Enda's an incredible talent. He would have been a corner-forward on his minor team. I can't remember what year it was, but he's always been an incredible footballer and he's also an exceptional defender.”

“Playing out in the half-back line with the new rules, it's probably given him the license to escape the back three and get up the field and contribute. But I always knew Enda was capable of that.”

“Young Eoin McGreal has come in and taken the game like a duck to water.

I'm really enjoying playing beside him. He's just full of confidence, both going forward and as a defender. I'm learning so much off him, the way he plays the game.”

IT'S ALL WORTHWHILE

The life of an inter-county player can be difficult at times. Whether it be the sacrifices, the long journeys, the pushing yourself to the limit in training every single night, sometimes it can be gruelling.

However, for the leader of the pack, moments like those ecstatic celebrations after the Louth and Cork games make it all worthwhile.

“It's why you do it, you know. We spend four or five nights a week together. The lads are your best friends.

“You socialise with these lads. You recover with these lads. You go for a coffee with these lads. As a result, naturally, you become really close.

Sure, how could it not be fun getting to play in front of your home fans in MacHale Park or being at an away fixture or up in Dublin? It's great fun. We love it, and you wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't fun!”

Here’s hoping there’s plenty of fun ahead!