As Mayo prepare to get their 2024 league campaign underway, a player who has seen it all before is Cillian O'Connor. The all-time points scorer in the championship, the Ballintubber forward has been involved with Mayo since 2011, and his experience is valued even more by Mayo following further retirements.
Injuries and the emergence of younger forwards have limited O'Connor's playing time in the past few seasons, but he is coming into this weekend's clash against Galway fully-fit. "I think being injury free is crucial.
You want to be available to train and help your teammates and push things on," said O'Connor. "Obviously, at the weekend, you want to be there for your team when you are needed.
It is hard to watch on [from the sidelines]. For 99.99 per cent of sports people, injury is going to be part of it. Thankfully, a clean bill of health at the moment, and touch wood, hopefully keep it that way. "It was a hamstring issue that dragged on and kept me out.