Finding spirit of ’51

Mayo boss James Horan’s reign could have ended in London last season — he is aiming high for 2011 after that reprieve, writes Terry Reilly

If we had been beaten by London it would have been hard to see a long career in inter-county management stretching out in front of me. Everything around that day was poor. I’ve learned now never to assume anything.

TIME is not a friend of Mayo manager James Horan. With a family in Ballintubber, doing DIY work on his new house, his job with Coca-Cola in Ballina and the small matter of the entire county’s hopes resting on his shoulders, he has found his position a busy one.