London still carries scars for O’Shea

Aidan O’Shea does not need reminding about the dangers of a trip to London.

As a 21-year-old he was there in 2011 when late points from Kevin McLoughlin and Trevor Mortimer forced extra-time, sparing Mayo one of the most humiliating defeats in their history and almost derailing James Horan’s reign before it had properly begun.

O’Shea has vivid memories of the trip, not least because he was dropped and later sent on to help rescue matters.

“I could write a small book on that one. For some reason we decided to fly out of Galway instead of Knock. We went from Galway to Waterford to Southend. It took us nearly longer to get to London than it would to New York.

“I remember it was the Heineken Cup weekend, and the Champions League final. All on in London. I think Messi scored against United. Just even the prep the night before was bad. Just silly stuff.

“I remember the week of the game, I didn’t get the start. The reason I didn’t start was because I had an exam on the Saturday previous in Dublin. I was a bit of a crammer and used to stay up all night studying. I was late by about 20 minutes for the training session on the Sunday morning, I’d slept in.

“James at the time didn't start me because I was late for the training on the Sunday. I was absolutely ripping.

“Then things weren't going great early doors. I was like, oh f***, this isn’t good. We should have been beaten, let’s be honest about it. I think we won okay in extra-time, comfortable enough.

“It was a scary one, but we got out of there alive,” he recalls.

One of Mayo’s few standout performers that day was Andy Moran, who scored five points from play. Fifteen years later, O’Shea returns to Ruislip with Moran now in charge.

How has he found working under him?

“I think refreshing would be the first word I’d say. You all have had engagements I’m sure with Andy and like his energy is insane. And he, you know, the second you meet him, he puts you in good form and you just get that bounce of energy off him.

“But like he’s quite challenging in terms of from the minute we met as well. Like, you know, he set out a stall and, you know, basically told us straight – the last couple of years haven’t been good enough.

“And I think that’s been really good for the group. That’s what I mean about being refreshing. We’ve gone after a few things during the league.

“A bit much has probably been made about the fact that I’ve played with him because to be honest, he’s gone whatever, five or six years. He’s the manager. Like you just kind of get on with it.

“But yeah, it’s been really good. I think the boys are enjoying the last few months with him,” he said.

One area Mayo have targeted is a greater attacking focus, particularly in their two-point shooting and total scoring output.

“Two-pointers, that increased quantity we had throughout the league, you know that’s not by accident.

“We need to be putting up bigger scores and we have been.

“I think we can get more goals. And we probably need to tighten up at the back, I think you know they’re probably the things we need to go after but ultimately, I would say we’re in a good spot.” 

While O’Shea was 21 in 2011, one of his current teammates was only three.

Kobe McDonald has already generated headlines for his precocious talent and O’Shea has been impressed by what he has seen.

“There’s been a couple of ‘oh f***’ moments at training and you’re like ‘wow’.

“Anybody who watches club football in Mayo, at underage level or even in the club football last year at senior level, everybody’s known of his talent for a long time.

“We’re disappointed he’s going to be going away but delighted to have him here for the next six months.” 

Has O’Shea had to guide him much?

“I think what I’ve been really impressed about is that there’s a self-assurance about him… he just takes everything in his stride.

“I have a good relationship with him. We chat. I don’t get a sense that there’s any need for me to put my arm around him and say, ‘Hey, stay away from this’ or ‘do this, do that’. He’s kind of his own man and he’s well able to carry himself.

“You wouldn’t think he’s only just turned 18 in December. It probably bodes well for a life in a professional sport unfortunately for us but good for him.”