Padraig O'Hora ready to rage in eye of another Mayo storm

There's a fresh vibe to Mayo this year.

James Horan’s second stint in charge somewhat petered out last summer, fading away against Kerry in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.

Kevin McStay and his star-studded backroom team are the latest men charged with overseeing the quest to end the Sam Maguire drought.

Lee Keegan, arguably the most influential player over the last decade, has decided to call a halt to his inter-county career - although you'll still be able to see him on RTÉ Sport - and some new faces have been tried out in the successful FBD Connacht Cup campaign.

Saturday night in Castlebar will be a truer test of Mayo’s credentials this year when All-Ireland finalists Galway rock into town, eager to land a psychological blow ahead of a potential provincial semi-final in April.

From the downbeat finale in 2022, to an air of anticipation, it’s the perfect start to the league says injured defender Padraig O’Hora.

"There’s a really good vibe, a good buzz," he tells RTÉ Sport. "We have good characters, good craic."

While he only knew McStay to see, he has worked with Stephen Rochford previously and under Liam McHale with Ballina Stephenites.

"Liam is a good all-round guy. They are nice, approachable fellas from what I can see. It’s exciting, there’s a buzz in the air."

O’Hora will be forced into a watching brief on Saturday night for a game live on RTÉ2, and while he is looking forward to the occasion, he is keeping perspective given the time of year.

"I don’t really think opposition rolls into it too much, it’s just the first round. Every team targets that first game. We all know, you get off to a good start, it’s a good feeling in camp. We are looking for a good performance on Saturday night, starting off on the right foot.

"Peo