''Rinse and repeat': McStay pleased with Mayo progress

Mayo manager Kevin McStay was more than pleased by the manner in which they eased past the challenge of Donegal to book a place in the Division 1 Allianz League final, stating that they will have "a good shot" at winning the competition for the first time in four years.

The westerners ran out 1-17 to 0-09 winners in Ballybofey, an outcome that ensures a return date to Croke Park for the top-tier decider on 2 April, this after the county suffered a heavy defeat to Kerry in the 2022 final.

In 2019, under the management of James Horan, Mayo got the better of the Kingdom to end a long wait for a national title. For McStay, the chance to emmulate that success is a further sign of Mayo's progress under his tutelage.

Speaking on RTÉ's Sunday Sport, he said: "We're in the final now and are there on merit. The league has been really good to us and we got an awful lot out of it. We needed something out of the game and used the two weeks wisely.

"A lot of prep was done and we took on the challenge full on. We were in a good place at half-time and the goal [from Ryan O'Donoghue] gave us breathing space. We're pleased to be in the final and we'll be having a good shot at it."

Indeed, the Mayo boss was accentuating the way his side did the simple things well in accounting for Donegal.

"Rinse and repeat," he added.

"What got us there was excellent. Keep doing what you're doing, no need to get swanky. Do what you've been doing since 14 years of age; pass the ball to a fella with the same colour jersey. That would do fine for us."

In heading the Division 1 standings, McStay praised the effort from his squad across a campaign where, he concludes, that nothing is handed to you.

"The division is competitive; the football is competitive and the