Padraig O'Hora backs split season as he addresses criticism of Mayo final

Mayo's Ballina Stephenites will hope to build on their first senior county title since 2007 when they face Fulham Irish in the Connacht Senior Football quarter-final on Saturday.

In their county final win over Breaffy, the tense affair came down to strong defence, with Mayo's Padraig O'Hora central to their victory, in what was a first county title for him.

A key player for Mayo in the past number of seasons, he told Breakingnews.ie why it was so special to break the 16-year drought with his club.

"It was magical to be honest, winning with the lads you grew up with," O'Hora said.

"We would have had all our trials and tribulations with friends and buddies. There are lads who have lost parents and family members who were very close to the group, so it makes it all that more special.

"It felt like we left last year behind us. It was just about getting over the line this time.

"We felt like we were the best team in the county, this year and last. We were disappointed with how last year panned out."

But all the attention is now on this weekend, when Ballina face Fulham Irish, based in West London, in the provincial quarter-final.