The faith is back among Mayo GAA fans after Omagh renaissance
Mayo GAA supporters have taken to social media to praise their senior football squad following an unexpected victory over Tyrone in Omagh yesterday evening in the second Group One match of the All-Ireland SFC series.
The victory, coming after a tame and dismal defeat to Cavan in the opening round in Castlebar, resulted in Mayo leap-frogging from bottom to top of the table ahead of today's clash between Cavan and Donegal.
A win for Donegal would leave all all four teams in the group on two points each going into the final round of fixtures on Saturday, June 14, when Mayo face Donegal and Cavan play Tyrone at neutral venues.
Speaking after last night's win, acting manager Stephen Rochford said he hoped manager Kevin McStay will be back on the sidelines for the Donegal clash following his recent health setback.
He said the players really put their heads down after the Cavan disappointment and vowed to 'put in a performance' that reflected their true ability and potential.
He said: "I think what was really pleasing was the ability of the players to be able to read the moments.
"In the midfield battle and the middle third, the players showed they were willing to back each other up and really go at it.
"We were really focused on what we needed to do and we went about delivering that.
“And and I think we delivered that consistently when our backs were put against the wall.
“The lads just backed each other up. The energy that came off the bench and the support play that they gave each other was really, really commendable.
"We must do it again in two weeks."
His views were echoed by team captain Paddy Durcan who said the players went back to brass tax with the intention of proving a point in the aftermath of the Cavan and Galway defeats.
One supporter commenting on social media perhaps best described Mayo football with the following assessment: "Mayo is always capable of overcoming all-comers, when motivated to so do. Of course they are also capable of losing to all others."