All-Ireland winning manager Andy Moran has conceded that his adventurous style of play was perhaps only successful due to the unique disposition of the Mayo people.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s The Marty Morrissey Show, Moran relieved the joys of the last eight days as the Connacht county celebrated a first Sam Maguire success in 75 years after victory over Kerry, with their all-action high press garnering many media headlines in the aftermath.
Moran’s achievement was made all the greater due to it being his first year in charge, but ventures in other counties have opened his eyes to the necessity for a set of principles to be embraced by all.
“I think that’s Mayo people,” was Moran’s response when asked about his positivity being reflected in how his players executed the game-plan last weekend.
“It’s knowing your own. Like you’ve seen over the last five, six, seven days, we’re an expressive county.
“Many great Mayo people around New York, Philly (Philadelphia), London, Chicago, we’re not a dour people.
“We’re actually fun, we like to have the craic, we like to go out, we like to enjoy ourselves.
“We like to talk, we never shut up talking, so that’s the sort of people we are.
“I always kind of said, don’t suppress that in our players because that’s our personality, that’s who we like to be.
“I think people have come in before, outside coaches that I’ve had, and it’s taken maybe a year or two to recognise that ‘OK, this is where they are, they’re a bit quirkier than other people’.
“Like, for example, when I went to Monaghan, Monaghan are very, casual is the wrong word, but they’re a cooler sort of people than us.
“They’re calmer, they’re not like Mayo people. They’re just a tiny bit different and I love them.
“I was very loud and very abrasive with Monaghan people. It took them a while to get used to me, so it’s just knowing your own people and knowing what they like to do.”
Meanwhile, Moran has expressed some concern that his players may be susceptible to injury during the forthcoming club championships due to their elongated celebrations.
The senior and intermediate grades kick into gear from Friday onwards and their manager will be keeping a close eye.
“Well, I definitely am, I can’t say the same for my players yet,” Moran replied when asked had his celebration party come to an end.
“Club championships this weekend and the big fear is that some of them get some injuries because the level of partying that went on and to just look after themselves and hopefully they can do that.
Mayo fans finally had their prayers answered
“But I’m not going to stop anyone from enjoying this moment, we’ve waited long enough for it.
“There’ll be families coming home to see them and stuff like that so they kind of have to take it upon themselves to say ‘I’m ready for the club championship or not’.
“Your mind switches very, very quickly. It’s a real funny one, what winning the All-Ireland does that losing the All-Ireland never did was (wonder) what receptions are on next week? Where do people want the cup around the world? Team holidays, All-Stars.
“Where do you fit these things in around and try and get a training load into them so they’re ready for the last week of January next year for the National League.
“You’d love to say you can down tools and enjoy it but, as a manager, I don’t think you get the same level of gap as you would have from playing.”
Watch the All-Ireland Camogie finals on Sunday from 11.45am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, including the senior final of Cork v Galway at 4.15pm. Follow our live blog on the senior final on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 9.30pm