FIVE THINGS FOR MORAN TO MASTER IN MAYO

MAYO'S managerial search may have started unceremoniously with the callous removal of Kevin McStay, but at least they've wrapped it up in a more timely fashion this time.

- BY PAT NOLAN

Last year, it was 92 days after their Championship exit before it was confirmed that McStay would be continuing into the third of what was a four-year term.

This time they managed to roughly cut it in half, with Moran announced some 47 days after McStay was “relieved” from the role. Here are some of the boxes Moran will look to tick over the course of his reign.

GET BACK ON TOP IN CONNACHT

MAYO'S last Connacht title came in 2021, with Galway reigning supreme out west ever since.

The defeat to their neighbours in this year's Connacht final was particularly hard to take and effectively spelled the end for McStay.

Moran (left) will have his sights set much higher than merely reestablishing provincial supremacy, but if he is to build a Mayo side capable of competing for the Championship then he realistically needs to win locally first.

Failure to win Connacht in 2026 would represent Mayo's longest stretch without the Nestor Cup since the famine of 1969-81.

TURN CASTLEBAR INTO A FORTRESS

GALWAY’S win over Mayo this year was their fourth in succession in the Championship at MacHale Park.

Cavan came to town two weeks later and recorded their first Championship win over them since 1948. It was a result from which Mayo's season ultimately couldn't recover, despite a heroic win over Tyrone subsequently.

Last year, Mayo were pinned back by Derry, who were struggling badly at the time, in a preliminary quarterfinal in front of their own fans and eventually lost on penalties.