Kevin McStay's Mayo are treading water — and there may be more suffering to come

Emerging from the 2024 season review should have emboldened manager Kevin McStay but the knowledge ascertained from that supposed forage through the weeds has yet to manifest itself

Mayo manager Kevin McStay looks on during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Mayo and Galway.

Before Galway gave them what can only be described as a merciful seeing-to last Sunday week, Kevin McStay’s optimism was remarkably strong in spite of realities.

“I learned Mayo are very close,” he told journalists in December. While he accepted the infamous review into last season was required as performances had to improve, he spoke about being “bullish”, being “right up there with everyone else”.