Mayo geared up for tough test against Galway

Without a game since April 5, Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes have had to content themselves with watching their opponents stretch their legs, test their systems and try out new strategies.

Come throw in on Sunday, Sligo footballers and Kilkenny’s hurlers will be the only remaining idle counties in the country.

Of all years, Mayo would have liked an early day out: a nice starter in Gaelic Park or Ruislip. Instead the pressure to follow James Horan, the man that led Mayo to two All-Ireland finals and another two semi-finals in his four years, has gradually ramped up. Talk of winning five Connacht titles in a row is rampant, but Connelly shakes off that chat.