McLoughlin not fooled by ease of Mayo’s progress

Kevin McLoughlin is not counting his chickens but reckons Mayo are a better and smarter team this year.

They have steamrolled Galway and Roscommon in their opening two games with a third Connacht SFC crown expected when they face either Leitrim or London next month.

Compared to their two previous successful provincial campaigns under James Horan, it’s been a cakewalk and the 2012 All Star nominee notices an improvement in the group.

“It is hard to tell but I think we are a better team. We have to concentrate on one game at a time. That’s the big thing for us; taking each game at it comes. We’re not thinking two games ahead or three.

“One thing we have this year is a stronger panel and I think that’s pushing everyone a small bit more. It’s making people do better things. That has made a big difference to us this year. You see guys like Darren Coen coming on and he has made a big impact.”

McLoughlin insists nobody in the panel is taking anything for granted even if things have been so easy for them in the province.

“We have to keep on top of our game and it doesn’t matter who we’re playing.

“If you’re not performing, you’re off and it’s hard to get back on. That’s in the back of your mind as well.”

Winning the final will be vital for Mayo with a six-day turnaround to a fourth round qualifier likely for the losers but McLoughlin isn’t thinking of Croke Park just yet.

“We’re only thinking about a provincial final now. That’s all we can concentrate on.”