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James Horan delighted with Mayo's application

Mayo senior football manager James Horan pictured at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday.

Mayo senior football manager James Horan pictured at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday.

By Cian O'Connell

Mayo manager James Horan is encouraged about the way his collection of established and emerging players are combining in the 2020 Connacht SFC.

On Sunday the green and red outfit advanced to a first provincial decider since 2015 following a convincing victory over Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park.

"I thought we started very well and dominated a lot of key parts of the game," Horan reflected. "If our shooting boots were on a bit better, particularly in the second quarter, we could have been ahead a little bit more, but overall for what you are looking for in Championship football, I thought our energy and work-rate was very strong and I would be very happy with that."

The fact that so many developing players have been afforded games carries relevance according to Horan.

"Every win is important and we got to introduce new guys to Championship last week," Horan commented on the previous triumph over Leitrim. 

"Every game tells you something and there were things last week we were very poor on and we improved on them. 

"There is lots of stuff we need to improve on from as well which we will work on."

Diarmuid O'Connor's goal at the end of the opening quarter was a vital moment.

Diarmuid O'Connor netted a first half goal for Mayo against Roscommon.

Diarmuid O'Connor netted a first half goal for Mayo against Roscommon.

"I think it shook Roscommon a bit," Horan acknowledged. 

"It came just before the water break and it gave them a bit of a shake. They had a very good record with goals conceded so I think that shook them. 

"I just thought our application around the place was strong. They did well on breaking ball in the first quarter, but we turned that around a bit so overall I would be happy."

Next on the agenda for Mayo is an intriguing Pearse Stadium encounter against Galway on Sunday.

Padraic Joyce's outfit haven't played in the restructured Championship yet. Is that an advantage for Mayo?

"You definitely learn each time you play, even the logistics, timings, what work for you as a group and stuff, then the games, you learn a lot from the games," Horan says. 

"We are happy where we are, we have lots of guys competing on Tuesday night now for the squad and I’m looking forward to that.

"We are going on form, who is showing energy. There is a certain way we want to play and it all depends on who is going well and Tuesday night can dictate a lot and who is selected on Thursday on the 26 so that makes your training sessions very competitive. That’s the way it is, we are happy with it."