OMahony anticipates difficult game

30 July 2009

John OMahony says that Mayo will betaking nothing for granted ahead of their All-Ireland SFC quarter-finalmeeting with either Limerick or Meath next Sunday week.

TheMayo manager has dismissed any notions that his side have been handedan easier draw than any of the other provincial winners in the lasteight.

"The reason we won the Connacht final is because westayed focused on what we could do," explained OMahony. "Are peopleforgetting that Limerick nearly pushed Cork over the cliff in theMunster final? And Meath ran Dublin to two points in Leinster.

"Itsamazing how perceptions change but reality stays the same. Ive neverbeen involved in any easy quarter-final in my time in football. Plus,whoever wins next weekend between Limerick and Meath will have a hugemomentum for the following week."

OMahony was on his way backhome from Dr Hyde Park after watching Mayo defeat Roscommon in the ESBConnacht MFC final last Sunday when word of his sides draw camethrough.

"I dont get excited about draws," OMahony insisted."You take what you get and you move on. When you get to the last eight,every draw is difficult. There seems to be a perception out there thatour draw is okay, but you could make the arguments about the form ofKerry, Kildare or Donegal too.

"I think the tie of the roundis Kerry against Dublin. I think for the nostalgia and glamour its thegame of the weekend and it will either kill or cure Kerry. I wouldntwrite them off though.

"Well keep preparing anyway. Wecovered all the qualifier games last weekend and now well get a chanceto see Limerick and Meath play next Saturday," he added.