Mayo’s young guns can give Horan options

O’Connor dropping back to midfield, Plunkett could become the key in providing O’Connor with the partner he may need. With a surplus of quality halfbacks, Horan might roll the dice and push one further up the field. Lee Keegan operating around the middle for instance would present opposing teams with the kind of tactical headache that can be hard to cure. MAYO’S sense of optimism extends far beyond their bright start to the new season and owes everything to the evidence that James Horan has found a way to renew a fine team.

Like everyone else, it was impossible not to be impressed with the manner in how they took Tyrone apart last Sunday, but it was the impact of fresh faces that really charmed.

Fionn McDonagh grabbed the headlines with his 1-3, and he possesses the pace to go with his finishing which could allow him to be a real asset to a Mayo attack in need of new blood.

But more than anyone, it was Michael Plunkett who grabbed my eye, because his display at centre-back could provide Horan with a whole range of options.

If McDonagh (right) can fill the hole left by Diarmuid