Mayo boss Moran hails unity within squad as key to championship turnaround

Mayo are back in an All-Ireland SFC for the first time since 2021 and manager Andy Moran is convinced that unity within the squad is the key factor in his side's championship turnaround this season.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport in the aftermath of the scintillating 17-points victory over Louth in the penultimate round clash Croke Park, he said every member of the panel is pulling in the same direction.

He stated: "There are players with All-Stars not getting into the team, they are sitting on the bench and not complaining or crying, just getting on with it.

"Since the defeat to Roscommon, the players have really worked hard and have been training really well.

"That, to be honest, has made a big difference.

"We will watch the game tomorrow and maybe after it there will be further questions asked of us, both defence and attack-wise.

"Did we come up with the answers after the Roscommon setback? What I can say is that we worked well together in terms of progressing the team."

Asked about the side's 'full heavy metal approach' in closing down the Louth defence, he praised the players for their application and work rate.

One of the big stories to emerge from the game was the fact that Mayo's full-forward line registered a collective total of 2-19.

That was made up of Ryan O'Donoghue (1-11), Darragh Beirne (1-2), Kobe McDonald (0-4) and Cian McHale (0-2), the latter of whom replaced the injured Beirne.

Twelve members of the current Mayo squad played in the 2021 All-Ireland SFC final defeat.

They are Robert Hennelly, Stephen Coen, Paddy Durcan, Matthew Ruane, Conor Loftus, Diarmuid O'Connor, Tommy Conroy, Aidan O'Shea, Ryan O'Donoghue, Enda Hession, Jordan Flynn and James Carr.

However, only four - Coen, O'Donoghue, Hession and Flynn - started this evening's All-Ireland semi-final win over Louth while three others - Tommy Conroy, Conor Loftus and Matthew Ruane - were introduced as substitutes