‘DONKEY’ KICKS BACK

semi-final replay win was so comprehensive that critics were forced to eat their words after slating Rochford.

The Mayo boss said: “To be honest, I didn’t lose any sleep about it. It may not be the nicest headline I ever got but at the same time I didn’t bat an eyelid at it.

“We look at what we can control. We certainly can’t control newsrooms or headlines in papers. And we’ll be only too aware that if we don’t deliver in three weeks’ time then there’ll be another headline coming and so be it.”

Goals from Diarmuid O’connor and Andy Moran secured the five-point win as Mayo set up a September 17

final clash with Dublin or Tyrone.

Dominant Mayo led from the 14th minute in front of 53,032 and Rochford agreed that it was probably their best display since he took over.

The former All-ireland club winning Corofin boss said: “Possibly, possibly, because it’s an All-ireland semi-final. There’s only one bigger game than that in your year so maybe it was. I don’t want to rush into saying one thing or another until I’ve reviewed it.

“That would be my position but I’m just very, very proud of the way the boys went about it.

“People had asked did we leave it behind us last weekend? It was just really important that the boys went out and showed that we didn’t.”

Rochford, whose side lost last year’s final replay to Dublin, was adamant his team have more in the tank and didn’t hit their peak yesterday.

He said: “No, I genuinely don’t think we have. I think there’s a number of things that we can improve on. Look, lets seem what happens in three weeks.”