Mayo focus still on April 24 against Galway despite league distractions

by Martin Carney

ALREADY billed as a ‘top of the table’ clash, tonight's encounter in Tralee between Mayo and Kerry has all the ingredients for a thriller.

Both are unbeaten over the course of their four games. Each has displayed bouts of fast attacking football, been solid in defence and outstanding individual performances have adorned every one of their games so, on the face of it, this meeting should contain all that is best in the game.

Needless to say, distance will be no obstacle to the travelling support, irrespective of fuel prices, and Mayo voices will more than match their Kerry counterparts – provided, of course, the fare on offer lives up to expectations.

Yet there’s a nagging voice in my head that repeatedly asks how badly does either team really want to go after the win in Tralee.

If the avowed intention from this league campaign was to retain their top flight status for next year, then for both sides this has been achieved already.

Three wins and a draw apiece, neither can be drawn into the relegation dog fight.

Winning tonight, important as it is, would do little other than lay down a marker for the championship and losing, you’d hope, would not leave any long-term scars.

Anyhow, irrespective of how this game turns out, there is a strong likelihood that both teams will face each other in the league final on the first weekend in April.

And again, I wonder is that something that James Horan right now is prioritising?

With the crucial championship game against Galway on April 24, are the risks of sustaining injuries or, dare I day, suffering a defeat in a potential league final posing more problems than are necessary or resolvable?

At this stage of the season, getting the final parts of the jigsaw as regards selection in place are, I guess, the manager's priority and he could do without the physical and psychological fall-out that would accompany a league final defeat, were that to happen.

Arguably, though, would facing into championship as league champions, if that were to happen, not boost the confidence of the team? Who knows.

A win is always welcome, and the prospect of beating Kerry in their own back yard must always be welcomed.

Yet, how likely is Horan to show his hand? How badly do Mayo need a win?

Seeing every player perform with purpose and intelligence would be my benchmark.