New York’s rare but magical win in the Connacht championship against Leitrim last year catapulted them into the spotlight in ‘23 - what would it be like it they managed to upset the applecart on a much bigger scale by stopping Mayo in their tracks in Gaelic Park this coming Sunday (throw-in 3p.m.).
One man who is keenly aware that he doesn’t want to return to Ireland next week with egg or even omelet on his face is Mayo manager, Kevin McStay, who ideally would like to enjoy the visit to the Big Apple with his troops and hope for the least possible attrition from the locals on the playing field.
Whilst ensuring a good flow of results and spread of players during the league, McStay says that planning has also been vital for the journey to the Big Apple.
Explaining how serious he was taking the fixture and wary of another big upset, the Mayo supremo stated: “It’s not a trip. It’s a Connacht championship quarter-final and we will pay it all the respect and due diligence that it deserves.”
Speaking on RTE he went on: “There have been two sides to our approach to this game. The logistical side and the football side. And that’s purely what we are concerned with - the football side.”
McStay expressed satisfaction that after winning the league but doing poorly in the championship last year despite beating Kerry, this year his eye was more on maintaining Division One status and holding some powder dry for the Connacht and All Ireland series.
While he has brought in a lot of new blood this spring, he also has the likes of
Padraig O’Hora, Paddy Durcan and the county's all-time top scorer Cillian O'Connor are still very much involved while big Aidan O'Shea will see action for the 186th time when he lines out in New York.
