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Mayo boss James Horan and Donegal selector Rory Gallagher. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Pundits

James Horan: 'Analysts, by their nature, can say stuff that is way over the top'

The Mayo boss also praised the Donegal management for ‘the class’ they showed in defeat yesterday.

MAYO BOSS JAMES Horan has described Joe Brolly’s criticism on Saturday night of Tyrone’s Sean Cavanagh as ‘way over the top’ and ‘offensive’.

Brolly slammed Cavanagh for his rugby tackle on Monaghan’s Conor McManus during Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final in Croke Park.

The criticism has prompted huge debate and Horan offered his views in the aftermath of his team’s success against Donegal yesterday.

“Analysts, by their nature, can say stuff that is way over the top. ‘What is he on about’ I suppose is my first reaction. Even listening to the commentary, that it should have been a red card – that is not the rules.

“If it was the rules then fair enough. I’m not supporting it or whatever but don’t be shouting about it that it should have been a sending off, when it shouldn’t have  been a sending off. That would be my take on it. It’s something that needs to be looked at.

“But as regards the comments, I suppose they were maybe highly entertaining but maybe offensive to one of the best players in the game.”

Donegal

Horan also insisted there is no animosity between his side and yesterday’s opponents Donegal, and praised ‘the class’ they displayed both in victory last year and defeat yesterday.

“I can still remember after the match last year, and we commented on it ourselves as a team, the class and respect that the Donegal team and management showed to us after we were beaten last year.

“That’s something that always stuck with me. Even there today, straight after the game, Jimmy McGuinness and Rory (Gallagher) were straight down. Ye guys can have fun with what’s in the papers but they just showed again their class today in wishing us well.

“They’re worthy All-Ireland champions but we’re still in the pot and we’re looking forward to Tyrone in a couple of weeks.”

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