ROCH AND A HARD PLACE

Interim boss must pull off his greatest bit of magic yet to rescue their season

- BY KARL O'KANE

THE Stephen Rochford Files are littered with occasions when he pulled rabbits from the hat - many of them proving to be masterstrokes.

But for Mayo to reach the relative sanctuary of a two-week break until an All-Ireland semi-final, Rochford will have to perform perhaps his greatest magic trick yet.

It's been a tumultuous week and a half — even by Mayo standards — starting with a shock Sam Maguire Round 1 defeat by Cavan at MacHale Park.

Then Kevin McStay suffered a health scare and has since stepped aside with Rochford taking over.

To cap it all, GAA top brassers Jarlath Burns and Tom Ryan held a crisis meeting with Mayo clubs and County Board officials amid concerns over financial issues and allegations of intimidation and harassment.

It could all elicit a backlash against Tyrone next Saturday night at Healy Park, and with a smarting Mayo having two weeks to prepare, and Malachy O'Rourke's side just seven days after a statement win over Donegal, it's set up for the visitors.

However, their head to head defeat by Cavan means Mayo may require a win and a draw against Tyrone and Donegal to stay afloat.

Given that Rochford is already assistant manager/head coach the change of manager lift may not be there, but there could well be a strong on-field statement of support from the players for McStay.

But, this is a management team, that barring a giant leap forward, were possibly in their final year.