By Cian O’Connell

Manager Stephen Rochford has confirmed that Mayo currently have a fully fit panel to select from ahead of the September 18 All Ireland SFC Final against Dublin.

"We got back training a little bit later than we would have liked and later than what other teams were doing so we were probably playing bit of catch up,” Rochford said.

“But thankfully this is the right time of year to have everyone available.  We have 33 fit guys at this moment in time thank God.”

The Mayo boss ‘wasn’t surprised’ by Dublin’s performance during Sunday’s win over Kerry at Croke Park. When asked for his impressions on Dublin Rochford replied: “I was very, very impressed as was everyone who watched it or was in attendance. But in many ways there wasn’t a lot that surprised you in it.

“A team that is undefeated in 26 or 27 games between league and championship in two seasons, that level of consistency was evident again in how they came back from the five point deficit and it was more evidence of the quality they have and the threats that they have in most corners of the field.”

Rochford was satisfied that last weekend’s Mayo SFC fixtures were postponed to aid the Green and Red’s preparations. “What it did allow us was a proper week of recovery. I think people may forget this - it wasn’t just the Tipperary game, but the group had played five games in seven weeks and that does take its toll as well.

“So to be able to give us those proper days of recovery and be able then to line guys up again... those club championship games are round three games and a number of them are very important for clubs as regards whether they finish top or second place and that affects quarter-final draws and all those things.”