Shane Stapleton and Jason Byrne of the Irish Sun discuss Tyrone’s victory over Mayo, which relegated the Connacht side from Division One of the National Football League.
James Horan will not be panicking after Mayo’s 23-year stay in Division One was ended by Tyrone on Sunday.
Certainly, their results have been patchy over the course of the campaign, but Irish Sun writer Jason Byrne explains that their recent form is strong.
They beat Galway by double-digits scores a week ago, and came from nine points behind to almost overcome the Red Hands on Sunday.
“The first point James Horan made was that the damage was done before March, before the coronavirus, when they lost those games back then,” says Byrne.
“They’ve come back really strong since the restart, and that performance against Galway, the only way was down after that. They were just so good,.
“Tyrone had their number in some many areas. Mark Moran got snuffed out, he got a lesson in physicality at Castlebar.
“A magnificent footballer and he will be good for Mayo but he was taken off. Aidan O’Shea was gobbled up for long periods.
“Mayo missed a lot of goal chances, which was vital, and that was before Tyrone hit the net at all.
“The wind was massive, and Tyrone made hay in the first half. Mayo made mistakes too, like the David Clarke kickout for the Conor McKenna goal.
“He only had one thing on his mind when he got it, he even slipped, and still nailed it. He’s been massive after his six years in Australia.
“I don’t think it’s the end of the world for Mayo, and James Horan said that afterwards,” Byrne adds.
“They can go toe-to-toe with these Division One teams, and this was just a bad day at the office.
“They badly missed Cillian O’Connor upfront too, his poise. Kevin McLoughlin was only back in for his first game after winning the county title with Knockmore.
“They have a few more lads to come back.”
Click play on the video at the top of the page to see a full review of Tyrone’s win, the influence of goalkeeper Niall Morgan, and the depth of talent in the Red Hand attack line.
Byrne also reveals the latest on Tyone’s appeal of the red card to Rory Brennan, and a suspension that currently rules him out of the entire championship campaign.
