Andy Moran: 'I find it very dismissive. I think it is a bullshit question. If Mayo fans go nuts, let them'

If the hype rears up in Mayo, let it, says manager Andy Moran as his side empahtically booked an All-Ireland final spot on Saturday.

THUMBS UP: Mayo manager Andy Moran, right, and Kobe McDonald gesture to fans after their win over Louth. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Mayo manager Andy Moran has taken issue with the idea that Mayo fans and fervour will drown their All-Ireland final preparations in hype. 

Moran’s side secured a spot in the decider with an emphatic victory over Louth. It is their 11th All-Ireland final since 1951. In his post-match press conference, Moran was asked whether the county will go crazy or if they have been burnt by past defeats.

“Ye laugh at that lads; I don’t laugh at that,” replied Moran.

“I find it very dismissive. I think it is a bullshit question, if I am being honest. I don’t mean that with any disrespect, but I think it is a very disrespectful question. Our county has been starved for the last four or five years. If they go a bit nuts, let them.

“You are going to go to a game tomorrow; every single one of ye are going to write that Kerry or Dublin will win the All-Ireland final. Right? Right? Does anyone here think Mayo are going to win the All-Ireland final?

“No."

"Thank you. That question is nonsense. If our supporters want to enjoy it, let them enjoy it.” 

There were jubilant scenes on Saturday as a rampant attack registered 3-23 from 37 shots. Ryan O’Donoghue was Man of the Match with 1-11.

“The whole thing for us in a semi-final, it is for winning,” said Moran. “You can dress it up any way you want. Semis are to give yourself a chance to go and win the big prize in any competition, county championships, Connacht championships and All-Ireland championships. But for us, we had an aim at the start of the year: can we get the Mayo crowd back supporting the team and I think that was answered today.” 

At the other end, they kept Louth to just 15 points. It was a marked improvement by a defensive unit that has come under scrutiny in recent months. Louth scored just four points in the second half.

“I feel we have really good one-to-one defenders who are absolutely addicted to playing football and they just want to learn,” said Moran.

“Does that sometimes take time and does it take energy and months of training? Of course it does. But we are not the finished article. Let’s be honest here. When the likes of young McGreal and these boys can play 55 at 19 years of age in Croke Park, it makes a big difference. Again, I think Ryan (O’Donoghue) up front, the likes of (Enda) Hession, Donnacha (McHugh), Jack Coyne, (David) McBrien at the back, they are great leaders to have around the place.”