Former Mayo manager John Maughan isn’t overly optimistic about his native county’s chances of finally getting their hands on the Sam Maguire Cup in 2019.

The newly appointed Offaly boss believes Mayo will be “there or thereabouts” under James Horan but can’t see them landing that elusive All-Ireland title.

“Is there another tune in Mayo? There are many who might think they’ve missed the boat, missed their chance,” he remarked to The Irish Sun.

“A couple of big-name players, Tom Parsons will be lucky if he makes it back, albeit I read that he hopes to get some minutes of Championship come the summer. There’s a big question mark there.

“Séamus O’Shea, you begin to wonder has he much more left in the legs. Keith Higgins, Ger Cafferkey at full-back. It’s a bit of transitional phase.

“Andy Moran, I watched him playing club. Even though he’s played quite good football in the Championship, another eight months down the road, will he have the legs to go out and play 60 minutes? I doubt it.

“He might think different because he has been amazing the last couple of years.

“Realistically, can they win an All-Ireland in 2019? I don’t think so. But they’ll be there or thereabouts.”

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