JAMES HORAN HAS identified Mayo’s win over Cork in the 2011 All-Ireland senior quarter-final as the ‘catalyst’ for the team that has lead to their current status as a national heavyweight in Gaelic football.
That victory three years ago occurred in Horan’s debut season as manager and next Sunday, Mayo renew acquaintances with Cork in the championship arena.
The Mayo boss joked that ‘there have been some changes since that game in terms of hair styles and weight’ but admitted it was a huge victory for Mayo. Since then they have completed a four-in-a-row of Connacht titles and contested the last two All-Ireland senior finals.
“The Cork game in 2011 was a big day and an exciting one for us. That was a huge game for this team the way that we drove on that day and went toe to toe. That really spring-boarded us and gave this team confidence and was one of the huge catalysts in this team performance.
“It was a significant day for us which we remember very fondly. We gained a lot of experience since then and we are looking to push on all the time.
“There have been some changes since that game in terms of hair styles and weight. We were just watching it the last day and it was gas to watch.”
Mayo shocked Cork – reigning All-Ireland champions at the time – in that game but Horan is wary of a ‘wounded’ Cork team next Sunday that are still bouncing back from their Munster final mauling at the hands of Kerry.
“If they are wounded and they are looking for motivation it will be easy to find based on the history that they have had. Even the last few encounters we have had with them since 2011 on, I am sure that Cork will be keen.
“They have a couple of big names playing, a couple of big names on the bench. Colm O’Neill inside and Aidan Walsh in the middle of the field, two guys who can change games in very different ways.
“They have a lot of experience at the back and with Michael Shields moving out to the half-back line they look strong. Some people might say that all the changes would indicate that their form is bad but that can work both ways. You might have a real hungry team with nothing to lose.”