David Macbrien: Last News

Mayo knocked biggest rivals Galway out of the championship as a tremendous rally after the break saw them advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals by a single point.

As advertisements for the new and improved game of Gaelic football go, it will be hard to beat this action-packed encounter that unfolded in Castlebar on Saturday afternoon.

Goalkeeper Connor Gleeson was the hero for Galway as he landed a free in the sixth minute of injury-time from 50 metres into the wind to secure the Connacht SFC title for the third year in a row for the Tribesmen after a gripping final at Pearse Stadium.

Last week's two-point Allianz league win over Monaghan sealed a satisfactory spring campaign for Mayo manager Kevin McStay. However, he says all eyes have quickly turned to the impending championship visit to New York on Sunday week. 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. "It’s not a trip," he states, "It’s a Connacht championship quarter-final and we will pay it all the respect and due diligence that it deserves. "So there have been two sides to our approach to this game. The logistical side and the football side. "Due to the work of Sean Finnegan and the support of the communications lads and the county board, a lot of the heavy lifting has been done in terms of the logistical side. We had a good briefing recently and that leaves us with the full focus now on the football side. "And that’s purely what we are concerned with - the football side." On that score, players like Padraig O’Hora and Paddy Durcan have been welcome returnees to the Mayo line-up in recent times. The likes of Rory Brickenden, David McBrien and Jack Carney have staked their claims and there is also a healthy infusion of young blood in the squad.

Achieving the blend between youth and experience is far removed from a scientific formula, but have Mayo got the mix right as Kevin McStay looks to improve on his first year in charge?

There's little time for Mayo to bask in a win over the neighbours with another seismic game against our modern foes looming.

Sunday saw the quarterfinalists for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship confirmed, while Meath and Down will contest the Tailteann Cup final.

Mayo manager Kevin McStay said his side were well placed to have a tilt at the All-Ireland after they edged out their provincial rivals Galway by a point in a tense preliminary quarter-final in Salthill.