All eyes at MacHale Park for Mayo’s first test of 2023

TYNAN'S TAKE

NEW Mayo manager Kevin McStay has said in recent months that he would enjoy the honeymoon period while it lasted.

I sure hope he has done because it is now over, with a large crowd expected in Castlebar for the first game of the Allianz National League for Mayo this year and openers don’t come as big, or as tough, as welcoming local rivals Galway to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park this Saturday night.

Galway had a great year in reaching in the All-Ireland final and having beaten Mayo here last year in the opening round of the Connaught championship, they will be surely looking to send a message that they are the best side in the province without question.

Many Mayo players have gotten plenty of minutes in recent weeks in challenge games and the FBD League but this weekend and almost every weekend from here until April – should Mayo reach the league final - will be a different animal.

There will be no time to find your feet or work your way into the league. If you don’t hit the ground running, you will fall behind and fast, so a win for Mayo of any kind will certainly be a big confidence boost to players, management and supporters. The last thing that is needed for Mayo is defeat and based on the league in recent years, it’s very difficult chasing results when needed to survive in Division 1 - especially when you factor in trips to Armagh, Roscommon and Donegal to contend with, and Kerry, Tyrone and Monaghan coming to MacHale Park, where Mayo’s league record has been patchy at best.

As to what the starting line-up will be for the match against the Tribesmen, that will be the main question coming into the game. Does McStay go for the tried and tested? Does he throw in a couple of young guys chomping at the bit to stake their claim?

We will all be watching with great interest to see how it all unfolds this weekend.