Rochford's side are worth backing to defy the odds and upset hosts Tyrone

IT HASN'T been the easiest couple of weeks for the faithful followers of Mayo GAA. Indeed, events, on and off the pitch, could hardly have been worse.

- BY JOHN O'DOWD

With the shock home defeat to Cavan immediately putting them on the back foot in the All-Ireland SFC group stages, the players were already reeling.

This was followed by the news that manager Kevin McStay would have to take a back seat for the 'immediate future' due to health reasons.

On Monday night, there was the pretty-unprecedented presence of Jarlath Burns and Tom Ryan at an extraordinary general meeting of the County Board in Westport.

With loan arrangements, the Revenue Commissioners, abusive emails, and tales of players’ living arrangements in Dublin, all making headlines, the whole county must be wondering what's hit them.

Can things get any worse? You bet they can.

This evening, Stephen Rochford must lead his troops into battle at Healy Park against a cock-a-hoop Tyrone.

Crazily available at around 12/1 for Sam Maguire last Saturday morning, the Red Hand county went to Ballybofey and surprised many observers (it shouldn't have) by lowering Donegal's colours.