"Your health is more important" - Durcan pays tribute to McStay after win over Tyrone

Mayo's Paddy Durcan celebrates with fans after the win against Tyrone in Omagh ©INPHO/James Crombie

Paddy Durcan says yesterday evening’s bounce back win by Mayo over Tyrone in Omagh “came from a bedrock of hard work”.

Having slumped to a surprise loss to Cavan in the opening round of the All-Ireland SFC group stages two weeks ago, the Westerners defeated the Red Hands by 2-17 to 1-13 at Healy Park to get themselves right back in the Sam Maguire Cup race.

The win also comes after Mayo saw manager Kevin McStay stepping back from his role after being hospitalised following a “medical episode” that occurred during the team’s training session last week.

"It came from a bedrock of hard work,” 'Man of the Match' Durcan told GAA+ after the seven-point victory. "It probably wasn’t there two weeks ago, so we knew it would be a big game tonight to try and react because Tyrone is a brilliant team. Look, a lot of it was just hard work and graft, and looking out for one another. Today shows the unity. We had a bit more control there today as well.

We caught up with Paddy Duncan who is the AIB MOTM after Mayo claimed a vital victory over Tyrone🎙️

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“Two weeks ago, we were beaten by the better team Cavan are a good side and deservedly beat us on the day we knew we had to get back to brass tax today working hard for one another just the simple fascists of the game that don’t take much talent I thought we brought that and a lot more there today in spades tonight which we needed.

“We have a really strong panel; there are a lot of young fellows pushing forward, waiting for their opportunity. We also have a few more working their way in the background, trying to get back, and hopefully, they will be able to help drive things forward in two weeks.

“At half-time we knew that they would come with a reaction we just had to stay a part of the course of the game they did get it back towards us but thankfully we showed a bit more composure and control on the ball coming down the stretch the subs made a big difference so it was a good united effort.”

On the departure of McStay from the squad due to health issues, the All-Star defender added: "With Kevin having to drop back it was difficult for the group. Look he needs to look after himself and get himself right because your health is more important for anybody in terms of the group. Look, we have been a united group all year obviously we have had a few difficult patches like any other team throughout the league and championship look we just tried to get ourselves right for tonight and it’s no different we will try to do the same for two weeks."