League final on the cards for Mayo after outclassing Tyrone

TYNAN'S TAKE

ARE we all aboard the hype train yet?

If you did pre-book your ticket after the Kerry game the previous week, you know what time you’ll be landing in Heuston Station before making your way to Croke Park on the first Sunday of April for the league final, and we know there’ll be another visit or two to Headquarters come the summer!

In all seriousness, I don’t think anyone in the county is anywhere near that stage, or you have learned nothing over the last decade. But it’s all nice nonetheless.

Prior commitments meant I was watching this game on the big screen. Although the first 15 to 20 minutes weren’t anywhere near the standard you would expect, what followed afterwards was excellent - although it would be also true to say Tyrone never looked like winning following Aidan O’Shea’s involvement in the opening goal for Mayo.

The Breaffy man then hit one of the passes of the night for James Carr, and the Ardagh man enhanced his reputation once more with a cool finish past Niall Morgan.

Then there was Enda Hession. He can consider himself a bit unfortunate that Diarmuid O’Connor got the nod for man of the match as the Garrymore man was excellent one again. Defensively he was solid and his running game from the back gave Mayo a great outlet. His goal was a finish that any forward in the country would have been proud of.

Four games into the league and Mayo remain the only team in Division 1 that is unbeaten and are top of the table, level with Roscommon on six points.

A trip to Hyde Park awaits this Sunday to take on the Rossies, a game that has enough of an edge as it is. When you throw in that Kevin McStay was their former manager, it adds a little bit more spice to it.

With both teams very much in the running for a league final spot ahead of their Connaught championship encounter, a fascinating contest is very much on the cards.