Former Mayo manager John O'Mahony says current incumbent James Horan must be given time to deliver.

Mayo regained the Connacht title this year under Horan's leadership but O'Mahony believes the westerners can go even further if the current boss is afforded enough time to complete the project of building this team.

"The length of time depends on the county and I think it's very important that Mayo are patient with James Horan in his second season," O'Mahony is reported as saying in today's Irish Independent.

"It's something that the Mayo public and the Mayo County Board need to do. He made huge progress this year, but everything isn't solved yet.

"We need to be patient to allow him to do that. The main thing I have seen in counties that have won something is that there has been patience with the manager and the rebuilding of the team.

"Pat Gilroy got that and two years ago he was beaten in the first minute of the game against Kerry, but there was patience from the people who backed him.

"I had that in Galway too and that was what delivered the second All-Ireland, certainly. It was necessary in Tyrone with Mickey Harte, too, and I think that's what Mayo need and I would hope that James Horan is given that patience.

"There was a low this year in London, but there was progression and that didn't surprise me. I felt that a number of players that had developed over the last few years were the potential new leaders of the team and that was proved throughout the championship.

"Even in London, when their backs were to the wall, you had the Andy Morans and Donal Vaughans of the world standing up to it. They emerged. James Horan is doing a magnificent job.

"Winning the Connacht championship, getting silverware was important for confidence, but the big win was beating Cork at Croke Park and it still needs progression. They still need a few younger players coming through like Cillian O'Connor did this year and if they get them, then they can be contenders, there's no doubt about that." Tweet

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