Football is never far from the mind here in Mayo.

Whether you’re ambling in Achill, climbing Croagh Patrick, wandering in Westport, or browsing in Ballina, talk will inevitably turn to the fortunes of Mayo GAA.

This past week has been no different. The announcements of Andy Moran as Mayo men’s senior football manager and Diane O’Hora as Mayo LGFA senior football manager – both on the same night – have certainly succeeded in getting people talking.

Amidst the cynicism, tiredness and pessimism that have surrounded the fortunes of the county football teams in recent times, the common theme across these conversations is that both are bringing with them two things that Mayo football badly needs right now: leadership and belief.

HOMECOMING

The reaction to Andy Moran’s appointment, has been dare I say, relatively muted. Which, I hasten to add, is no bad thing. When Mayo football fever was at its hottest seven or eight years ago it would have been fairly hard to keep a lid on the excitement had an equivalent announcement been made.

But in the Year of Our Torment 4AT (4 years After Tyrone), even the signalling of this fresh new era has not caused anyone to lose the absolute run of themselves with optimism or expectation. That’s not to say people don’t hope and expect Andy does well – quite the opposite. But it takes time for faith to rebuild itself.

Andy’s appointment feels almost like a homecoming. It was always........

© The Mayo News