Fresh-looking Mayo well primed for long road ahead

After Mayo's emphatic win over Kerry in round three of the Allianz Football League, former county star Austin O'Malley highlighted a "freshness" in the way the side went about their business, something he feels will be key with championship commencing in a matter of weeks.

Kevin McStay's side ran out seven-point winners at Elverys MacHale Park on Saturday evening, a winning margin that somewhat flattered them against below-par opposition. That result maintained Mayo's unbeaten start in Division 1; they currently lie second in the table behind Roscommon, who have taken six points from a possible six in their opening three games.

The counties meet in the Connacht SFC quarter-final on 9 April.

For Austin O'Malley, there was much to admire in the way the current crop of green and red stars went about their business in lowering the colours of the defending league and All-Ireland champions.

Reflecting on the game, he told 2fm's Game On: "It was a super result; I think it blindsided a lot of us down in Mayo, as we didn't think we would have done it in the fashion we done it.

"From the get-go they looked like they were on it and they were physically superior. Their execution up front, their movement and even their defensive set-up, was really, really good.

"Coming away from it, Mayo did a lot of things that were different from what we had seen before in the way they were transitioning the ball through the boot a little bit more - that added a little bit more variety to their game."

O'Malley also highlighted Mayo's physical conditioning, adding that they managed their energy well against Kerry and finished the game "quite fresh".

"They have added to their backroom team in terms of strength and conditioning coaches; they are well