Moran: Long way to go yet

Mayo got the National League off to a stunning start on Saturday, beating Kerry for the first time in over a decade - but manager Mickey Moran has warned his players that they have a "long way to go yet".

A power-packed display by the westerners saw them pip Kerry 1-15 to 1-14 under the Austin Stack Park floodlights to ensure a fourth competitive win on the trot for Moran and his assistant John Morrison.

Billy Joe Padden's goal after 75 seconds was crucial as were four points from play from towering centre forward Ger Brady.

Former Sligo, Derry and Donegal boss Moran said afterwards: "All the praise has to go to the players and also praise have to go to the football people of Mayo who helped to organise trials in the middle of November (that went on for a long time).

"We had 43 players training with us before Christmas. We cut it down to 36 after that. The credit has to go to the people of Mayo and to the players and they made this result possible."

Moran, who is still waiting on confirmation of 2005 captain Kieran McDonald's availability for this season, added: "It's a nice start and that's about it - it's enjoyable for the lads after six weeks of intensive training and trying to get the combination right. It was good to be able transfer what we do in training to the pitch, but there is a long way to go yet."

Mayo entertain Offaly, who beat Cork by four points yesterday, in the league's second round next Sunday.