Coen cannot wait to get Mayo's season up and running

LAST year didn't go fully as planned for Mayo on the field but for one player, it was still a memorable one.

Having captained his county at minor and Under 21 level (and, remarkably, to All-Ireland success at both grades), Stephen Coen made what many might consider the natural step up the senior team captaincy in 2022 – and he loved it.

“I was delighted to get the chance and so much support from my team-mates,” he said. “There’s so many leaders in that team, everyone puts their shoulder to the wheel. In many ways, it’s an easy enough role considering the amount of top experienced guys there. It was a real honour.”

That's in the past, however, and the focus for Coen (now working full-time with an Athlone-based ag-tech company after graduating from college a few weeks before Christmas) and his Mayo team-mates is the coming season, with a new management team in place following the end of James Horan's tenure and the appointment of Kevin McStay when their 2022 season came to an end at the All-Ireland quarterfinal stage.

For Coen, the new management set-up brings a degree of excitement. “It gives you more motivation,” he observed. “Something new, something different and a clean slate for everyone. New ideas, which is really important, and building on what’s been done over the pasts even eight years. It’s great. Everyone is keen to learn, no ego saying ‘I can’t learn anymore.’ We’re all hungry to learn more and they have so much to offer. It’s been a really good relationship so far and we’re looking forward to building on it.”

The Hollymount/Carramore man said it's difficult see major changes in a few weeks but Kevin and his backroom team are putting thier own stamp on things.

“Kevin’s a very good communicator, organised, and they're a very approachable coaching group, which is very important especially when you’re starting off building a relationship.

“It’s very important for new guys coming in and the integration has been very seamless. It’s been great, a lot of excitement and energy from both sides. We just can’t wait for the year to start.”

He was quick to praise former manager James Horan too. “He's a great guy and he poured his heart and soul into GAA over so many years as a player and manager. He’s a top fella and I think everyone in the group would say the same. We had a great relationship with him. It was an honour to work with him. Great commitment to everything we did and it’s something we’ll always be grateful for. We wish him well.”

DISAPPOINTMENT

Assessing 2022, Stephen said that if you don’t achieve the ultimate goal, then there will be a little disappointment in your head.

Despite the lack of major success, the captain said there was a lot of learning and that many of the new players developed to the extent that they'll bring strength to the team this year.

“We didn’t finish the way we wanted but a lot of guys developed and a lot of character was built.

“We’re just excited to push on and improve on last year. It was challenging, learning, but (we're) keen to push on.”

They'll have to do that without one of the stars of the past few years, however, with Oisín Mullin having agreed to accept an offer to play with Geelong Cats in the AFL.

As ever, Stephen was sanguine in his assessment of that turn of events. “No matter what happens, when someone gets injured, gone or retires, there's someone to replace you. We’re lucky to have that threshold of players.

“ It’s a great testament to the underage structure in Mayo with players coming through on a constant basis. It’s one of the things that helps you build motivation at the start of the year in the mucky, wet nights. It’s been really enjoyable so far.

“It’s amazing even the impact players can have in a few weeks. With the club championship, a lot those guys are coming in off the crest of a wave. They’ve played very well in the advanced stages. They're very confident, young, full of energy. It’s a massive boost, but it’s no surprise. When someone new is coming quicker, better, faster along in the race, the more worried I get as the years come on!”

He does concede that Mullin will be a big loss to the team and the group environment, however.

“He’s an excellent person. A great fella. It’s no surprise the opportunity would arise for someone like that. Of course he’s going to be a big player that isn’t playing for us but we’ve dealt with these situations before.

“It’s not too long ago Oisin wasn’t in the panel and came in and flourished, so we’re fairly confident that will happen again for someone else. We wish him all the best and we hope it’ll be a successful experience for him.”

There are also concerns that Lee Keegan may decide to call time on his inter-county career. “He’s an absolute legend,” Stephen stated. “I think anyone would want him to be playing on their team. It’s out of our hands and I suppose Lee has a lot to think about whether he wants to play or not. If he’s involved, great. If not, there’ll be someone there to take that role.”

Looking forward again to the year ahead, the real start is against Galway in Castlebar at the end of January – the Allianz National Football League Division 1 opener. What are Stephen's thoughts on that and the entire year to come?

“Everyone is excited about it,” he said. “Even though you train really hard to peak fitness, it’s all about games. The more games there are, the more opportunity for players. More players are required. If someone gets injured, there isn’t a chance to recover as quick and someone else comes in.

“We're looking forward to the FBD and the National League. It’s a great opportunity to see where people are at and see what new tactics and game plans teams are implementing. I like the game-on-game situation and I think a lot of the players would agree with that.

“We can’t wait to see how it goes. It’s going to be crazy – big results, recovery, injuries, helter-skelter sort of stuff. We like that environment and I suppose we’ve had a bit of time away from the inter-county set-up, nearly five to six months. That mental commitment to it has been restored so we’re mad hungry to get going again.

“It’s going to be intense for everyone, which will make it more exciting.”