By Declan Rooney

Roscommon joint manager Kevin McStay says he fully expects to see the best Mayo team he has seen to recover from their Connacht semi-final defeat to Galway and reach the latter stages of the championship.

Along with Fergal O'Donnell, McStay will lead Roscommon into their first Connacht final since 2011and he admitted that he expected to face his native county in the decider, rather than Galway.

But the former Sunday Game analyst said there was always the chance that the historic rivalry between the counties and the enormity of going for a sixth Connacht title in a row always meant Galway were in with a great chance.

"I suppose like everybody, a surprise but definitely not a shock. The reason six-in-a-row hasn't been done in Connacht for a hundred or so years is that records that last that long are very hard to beat," said McStay.

"Number six, same for the five-in-a-row in Kerry and the Kilkenny hurlers. These are savagely hard records to beat. It's just the pressure, the expectation, then they got a run of bad injuries.

"There comes a day in every player's (career) when he says: 'I've had enough of this'. I don't know has that come for Mayo, I still expect to see them in Croke Park again this year. But certainly Saturday night, the positive body language was all with Galway, no doubt."

Considering that Roscommon have only won one Connacht title in the last 14 seasons - Galway have won four in the same period - history says that the Tribesmen may be better placed to take over Mayo's mantle as provincial champions.

And McStay admitted that he was very impressed with how Walsh's side made the most of their chances against the five-time winners to reach a second Connacht final in three years.

"They were fantastic champions, the best Mayo team I ever saw - and by some distance. And it's not over for them yet if they can regroup.

"But that's not my business now, my business is winning a Connacht championship with a county that I've been very privileged to manage. They gave me a chance when I thought I wouldn't manage at this level, so I'm really happy where I am.

"It is a slight surprise but I've a shocking record against Galway. They're a very formidable team and no Mayo man should ever take them for granted. Fair play to Kevin and his team, they put in a massive effort.

"The break they needed was the bad kickout. Then when they got that, then Mayo were put to the test and they couldn't find the energy to react to it," said McStay.

Tweet

Most Read Stories