Editorial: Morale of Mayo GAA fans at new low after fiasco
The clamour has begun for a change of management of the Mayo senior football squad.
It is evident that a new low has been reached for arguably the most loyal supporters in the country in the aftermath of last Sunday's shambolic defeat to Cavan in the opening fixture of group one of the All-Ireland SFC series at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
It was a game in which Mayo were widely expected to bounce back with intent following the narrow defeat to Galway at the same venue two weeks earlier in the Connaught SFC final.
Instead, the opposite happened as a disjointed and disorganised Mayo were brought to their knees by Cavan, a side they had dispatched with a fair degree of conviction 12 months ago.
It was a Mayo display which clearly indicated that matters are far from being in rude health within the camp - and particularly so in respect of inspiration and leadership on and off the field of play.
When a team is performing so exceedingly short of its collective potential, it's only natural that supporters, who pay out their hard-earned cash to attend games the length and breadth of the country, are asking questions in regard to why things are going wrong.
Yes, the squad is in transition but that cannot be used as an excuse for such a dreadful display that Sunday’s was, one devoid of spirit, fight and resolve.
Kevin McStay’s tenure as manager has failed to light up Mayo football to any extent when it comes to the championship.
And unless things change dramatically and unexpectedly over the coming weeks, he will leave the job a very disappointed man.
That's the harsh reality of modern day sport, a failure to meet expectations is not tolerated for too long.
So now names like Austin O'Malley and Andy Moran are being touted as suitable replacements when the vacancy arises.
Neither may be interested at this particular time.
But that's the state of play in Mayo GAA right now, a place riddled with questions, uncertainty, broken dreams and fresh speculation.