Mayo's former selector, the target for Pillar Caffrey's famous shoulder from behind, John Morrison, has told the Daily Star that Mayo would have won the Connacht title this year had they wanted to.
In comments which might cause Galway ears to perk up in annoyance, Morrison says that Mayo weren't mentally focused on winning a record sixth Nestor Cup.
Everything is about the All-Ireland for Mayo. This, Morrison more than implied, translated into an indifferent performance in Castlebar in June.
There is a great balance between physicality and quality. They could have won the Connacht title if they wanted. Mentally, they didn’t want it, they didn’t care. They’ve been focused on an All-Ireland title, not on finals.
I taught Tony (McEntee) for seven years. He’s so direct. He tells you what he’s thinking. The players will love him because he tells you where you stand.
Certainly, it's an interesting strategy to risk a half-hearted display in the province and then face into an arduous trek through the qualifiers.
Morrison tweaked Galway noses before. While involved with Mayo, he complained about Galway tactics in an NFL game in 2006. He accused Peter Forde's Galway team of "destroying football" and fixating on pulling and dragging down the opposition.
