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Tomás Ó Sé and Ciaran Whelan believe that relegation to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League will not affect Mayo’s confidence for the upcoming championship campaign.
The green and red fell for the first time in 23 years after their 3-14 to 1-19 loss to Tyrone at MacHale Park yesterday and must now prepare for Connacht’s quarter-finals against Leitrim on Sunday, with Roscommon waiting for winners. .
The last team to drop down from the top flight but then reach the final in Ireland was Meath in 2001.
“Yes, they have gone down to Division 2, but I don’t think it’s going to bore things in terms of what James Horan has in mind for them,” Ó Sé told The Sunday Game.
“Aidan O’Shea and Mark Moran were two of the best players in May on the last day, they were quiet today. (Kevin) McLaughlin probably didn’t work at center. That’s your backbone on the team really.
“I don’t think Mayo expected how Tyrone prepared at all. But they still kicked 1-12 in the second half, so there are a lot of positives for Mayo to take. Tommy Conroy played very well again.
“However, they will have a difficult one against Roscommon.”
Ciaran Whelan agreed that Mayo are still contenders.
“They will be disappointed by the relegation but still made it 1-19,” said the former Dublin star.
“Horan has found a couple of players, they look fresh and well conditioned, so it’s not a disaster by any means.”
Whelan thought the game showed that Tyrone is at his best when he’s most adventurous and left Mickey Harte with an interesting dilemma ahead of the Ulster SFC quarterfinals against Tyrone on Sunday.
“Tyrone has mixed up his game plans in recent years, but he’s been predominantly defensive,” Whelan said.
“Last week (against Donegal) they conceded kicks, the guys fell back, but today they held position. From the beginning, they went man to man.
“Tyrone can play like that, they have quality footballers. They still had that intensity (in defense).
“So what’s the best way to play? Yes, they will face defensive teams in the Ulster championship, but when you look at your forwards, they can play good football.
“It’s going to be very interesting.”
Ó Sé also believes Tyrone has found a welcome replacement for long-term injury victim Cathal McShane (ankle) in Conor McKenna, who has scored 3-04 in two games since returning from more than five years in the AFL.
“Anyone who has come back from Australia has had problems (to readjust). He was there for five years and I was surprised, everything he did today was excellent,” Ó Sé said of the 24-year-old.
“His awareness of space … He knows when to get in and when to get out of the way, he has a football brain and his skill level is very high.
“Everybody was talking about McShane, it was going to be a big loss, but he (McKenna) is brilliant.
“He is unpredictable, which is the worst thing you can face as a defense.”
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