Interesting stuff.
It would have been understandable if a few senior players on the Mayo panel took a step away from the grind of the inter-county scene at the start of this year.
Many of the squad have massive work commitments. 10 of the 2017 panel either work or study in Dublin and face epic commutes three and four times a week. And then there’s the heartbreak.
Four finals lost in six championship summers – the last three of which that were settled by just one point. How could you face into another long, gruelling set of winter training sessions after all of that?
However, after another tough League campaign in which they just about staved off relegation, Mayo have had no retirements as they prepare for their Connacht opener with Galway in May.
“It’s been that mad of a year that it has probably been the most enjoyable year ever,” Moran told The GAA Hour a couple of months ago.
“I think the big three were probably myself, Alan Dillon and David Clarke. I can’t see any reason for any of us to step away. I expect all management and team to be back next year and hopefully add a few young fellas to it as well.”
He ain’t leaving…
Moran spoke extremely well on how his work with former Arsenal strength and conditioning coach Barry Solan has done wonders for his sharpness and form.
Asked if he is leading the way in team sprints, the 34-year-old demurred. There are a few other younger bucks vying for the role of Mayo’s fastest player.
The sprinting drills in Mayo’s training sessions sound very serious. Moran says:
Andy Moran showing off biceps and triceps during his chat with GAA Hour host Colm Parkinson.“We’ve a few actually. David Drake, the brother-in-law, would be right up there.
“Paddy Durcan would be too. When Paddy and Lee Keegan put their minds to it, they’re the two to catch.”
When it comes to straight out fastest on the Mayo panel, Moran offered up more on SportsJOE Live. He said:
“David Drake would be… hmmm. David, Lee and Keith Higgins are fast. I’ll give it to David as he’s the brother in law.”
Keeping that title in the family.
Not wishing to burn any of his teammates, he named himself as slowest in the squad. He may not have that burst of speed any more but he can sure make a mess of opposition defences.
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