Mayo were undoubtedly the standout team of the Allianz Football League.
Despite a winter of change in which Lee Keegan retired, Oisin Mullin departed for Australian Rules and Kevin McStay took over from James Horan as manager, many were anticipating that the ‘green and red’ would be going through a period of transition.
However, they quickly found their feet under the new regime and adapted to McStay’s more direct style.
They qualified for the Division 1 final with one game left to play, having won four and drawn two in their opening six matches.
The final was not a classic, but they ran out deserved 0-14 to 0-11 winners over old rivals Galway at Croke Park.
They have little time to rest on their laurels, however, with just a seven-day turnaround to their Connacht Championship opener against Roscommon.
Mayo supporters will not be encouraged about their prospects of regaining the Nestor Cup, if the record books are anything to go by.
Interestingly, the last three times they have won the National League Division 1 title (2019, 2001 and 1970), they lost to the Rossies in the subsequent Connacht Championship.
Of the last six occasions that Mayo have won the Division 1 title, just once did provincial success follow (1949).
As 2023’s kings of the springtime prepare for the summer, they will be hoping to turn that record on its head.
The draw has not been kind for them. Should they overcome the Rossies, Galway lie in wait in the Connacht semi-final.
Seedings for the new All-Ireland group stages will be determined by teams’ performances in their respective provincial championships.
