Kevin McStay happy with 'passport' into Connacht final 

Mayo manager Kevin McStay believes a Connacht title is important for his side and maintaining a good rhythm for the Championship.

CONTROL OF RHYTHM: Mayo manager Kevin McStay is delighted his side will contest the Connacht final a title they havent won since 2021. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Mayo manager Kevin McStay is delighted to get “a passport to the Connacht final” after they overcame Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park his afternoon in the Connacht SFC quarter-final. McStay believes it is important for this group to win a Connacht title, a feat they haven’t completed since 2021, which will bring a schedule of playing every two weeks which would be perfect for his troops.

“I will be selfish myself as manager, my coaches we needed to get to a Connacht final. This group, we needed to get to a Connacht final and then factor in that the rhythm is more to your liking if you can get the win of course.

“It stays at the two week , three week rhythm and that suits the group pretty perfectly but that’s the next challenge now to stay in control of the schedule, the rhythm if you like.”

“That’s been the key if we get the two week break we can train Wednesday after Sunday then Saturday after Wednesday. And its more advantageous in terms of recovery and in terms of prep because we have to have a look back and a look forward.

“If you are not in charge of that fortnight the days run away from you and just becomes hectic or chaotic and we don’t get the things done we want to do.” 

Player of the Match Ryan O’Donoghue echoes his managers thoughts and is looking forward to challenge old rivals Galway to the title.

“Look you want to be playing football every two weeks and at least now we know our system. Last year we didn’t get to a Connacht final obviously and we haven’t won it since 2021 so we will be looking to set that right.” 

Davy Burke was disappointed not to be contesting a Connacht final and with Roscommon’s slow start especially conceding an early goal but happy with how his side responded.

“I thought in the first half we left too much out there. Obviously a slow start, we conceded a bad goal but I was delighted how we reacted to it. And then we had a couple of changes ourselves and just didn’t take them so at this level unfortunately you don’t take your chances.

“Ya I think a max of four or five weeks, we are happy enough with a couple of days off, bit of club football, get a few injuries back a couple of lads got knocks there today.

“Look we wanted to be in a Connacht final in two weeks’ time we’re not but I am happy we put our best foot forward today and we go again.”