Mike Quirke: Mayo’s change of ownership key to All-Ireland success

When this Mayo squad, still hurting from blowing a winning position against Dublin in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final replay, came together to discuss the management of their group last season, they concluded they needed a change.

From the outside, it appeared a pretty ruthless move to cut the legs from under their joint managers Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes after only one year into their mixed marriage.

They had the Dubs on the rack at times late in the first semi-final last year and again when Lee Keegan had the opportunity to stroke over a point to push Mayo into a five- point lead midway through the second half of the replay.