Left of field - Mayo looking for Aidan O'Shea to shine

Aidan O'Shea has been a dominant midfielder, a roving 11, a target man inside, playmaker, he's even done a job at full-back, but Mayo's greatest need now is for a left-footed scorer.

So far this championship, Ryan O'Donoghue has accounted for 51% of Mayo's total. Contrast that with Paul Mannion top scoring for Dublin with just 20% heading into their Leinster final.

Within a rotational attack, with Cillian O'Connor on his way back to full fitness and Tommy Conroy still finding his best form, O'Donoghue has been the clear go-to man with 1-20 in two games. Of that tally, 1-07 has been from play or marks.

O'Shea, on the other hand, has not yet attempted to kick a point from play in the 2024 championship, yet he's still their second top-scorer from play and overall. He's scored a free, fisted a point, buried a goal and had another shot at goal saved.

His 1-01 against Roscommon was decisive in putting Mayo into Sunday's Connacht final, and a glimpse of what he is capable of. Yes Mayo need to kick in more ball to O'Shea, yes he will create for others, but that alone will not be enough to turn Mayo into All-Ireland contenders.

Aside from contesting eight kickouts or throw balls so far in Mayo's two opening games, 30% of O'Shea's involvements were still outside of the opposition 45. While inside, he had nine involvements within the opposition 13m line. And received nine kick passes in the forward line. Both positive signs of improved variation in how Mayo attack and utilise O'Shea under Kevin McStay. Albeit the end product of 71% of his combined 50 involvements was a handpass.

The eight-time Connacht winner's instinct has always been to pass rather than shoot, which is why he is so quick and sharp particularly with his hands. The