Mayo buoyant as another September comes around

Seamus O’Shea didn’t shout it as much as whisper it but he reckons Mayo are in better fettle going into this year’s All-Ireland final than last September.

The Breaffy man was a used substitute in the defeat to Donegal but, like Alan Freeman, has fought his way to become a regular starter this season. They are verified examples of the competition in James Horan’s ranks and although O’Shea describes Mayo as having earned just “a ticket to a final”, he agreed there is reason for more optimism going into the decider this time around.

“You’d like to think the experience of last year will help. We probably have a stronger panel. You see the boys coming in there. Richie [Feeney] came in and made a difference, Cathal Carolan and Barry Moran the same.