Johnno on the Cavan game

The Deputy seems to be fairly upbeat, perhaps too much so, about the Cavan game. In Hogan Stand, he's quoted as saying that there were "plenty of positives" to be taken from the game and mentions in particular the performance of Barry Moran at full-forward. Barry was a success, alright, and his goal came at just the right moment, as Cavan's second goal just beforehand had put them into a two-point lead and things were momentarily starting to look a bit dodgy. Barry's goal righted the ship and set us on the way to the win.

Speaking of Barry Moran, there's an interview with him in the Mayo News, where he talks about how different it is to be lining out at full-forward compared to his normal midfield position. He also reminds us that he's only just back from injury following that horrible dislocated ankle he suffered in the All-Ireland U21 semi-final defeat to Laois back in April.

Also in the Mayo News, there's more from Johnno, this time looking forward to the Derry game next Saturday. Johnno is such a great man for managing expectations, isn't he? He does a good job in talking up the Derry lads and saying how difficult it will be for us to get a result there. That third seat in Mayo was difficult too, wasn't it?

As expected, he confirms that Mac is unlikely to be back in time for Saturday and, while he mentions that Pierce Hanley is recovering from a knock, it doesn't sounds too serious.

Paddy Power have us at 8/11 to win on Saturday, with Derry on offer at 6/4. Fairly miserly odds, you'd have to agree. I suppose the fact that we were the beaten All-Ireland finalists last year is a contributory factor in setting these odds but so too, you'd think, would be our comical defending last Saturday evening.

That's it - we may, I suppose, have an announcement about the team tomorrow evening. There's plenty to ponder on there, not least the issue of who is going to be named as full-back . . .