Salthill satisfaction for Kevin McStay as Mayo start Allianz League with win

Kevin McStay felt getting points on the board from their Allianz League opener against Galway was paramount for Mayo with All-Ireland holders Dublin's visit to Castlebar this weekend looming.

The reigning Division 1 champions ran out 2-12 to 0-10 winners in Salthill over their Connacht rivals in wet and windy conditions with goals from Eoghan McLaughlin and Cillian O'Connor helping to ensure a winning start to the League.

All-Ireland champions Dublin are up next at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Saturday evening.

"They're two marvellous points to have in the bag. It didn't matter who the opposition was really, it was just get the two points and get the league launched for us," McStay told RTÉ Sport after the match at Pearse Stadium.

"It's better to be looking at two now. We go training on Wednesday night and (it's better) than trying to go into the match against the All-Ireland champions next Saturday with no points, so (I'm) very pleased with that."

On the possibility of looking to make a concerted effort to win back-to-back league titles, he added: "I'd like to follow that up with another good performance against Dublin and then we'll take stock after that and see where we are."

McStay remained relatively coy on potential tactical tweaks Mayo may have implemented in the off-season and targeted longer-term development over the course of the League.

"There's something different about us every January," he quipped, "It's how we'll be in May or June that will be the test.

"The journey starts with the first baby step and it's January. We're up and running now and let's see where it brings us."

As for the bragging rights over Galway, who were understrength amid injuries to the likes of Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, Cillian McDaid and