Aidan O’Shea: We’re big underdogs but we have four weeks to get it right

At half-time during Sunday’s All-Ireland minor semi-final, a gaggle of Mayo players strolled around the field. Some listened to music, others simply getting a feel for the hallowed turf. Aidan O’Shea, on the other hand, was engrossed in something on his phone. Taking in a collection of Lebron James’ finest moments put him in the perfect frame of mind to ready himself for action.

Positivity and visualisation will be essential for Mayo in the coming weeks. If they didn’t already know they won’t be fancied against Dublin or Kerry then they will be told ample times in the coming weeks. O’Shea, though, needs no schooling on how his team will be perceived in the build-up to September 18.

“Dublin and Kerry, it’s going to be a big game next weekend. We’ve lost two semi-finals to them over the last couple of years. We know the level they’re at, we weren’t anywhere near that so we know that realistically we’re going to be going in as underdogs and probably written off.