So we reference the eye-catching statistic that, over 15 league and championship matches, Jim Gavin never, ever lost to Mayo. This back-story provides the context for the next episode of this never-ending soap opera, Saturday night’s league contest in Castlebar. Both are evolving in more ways than one ...BACKROOM MANOEUVRESThe most obvious change of all entails the end of the Gavin era. Ten of the players who started last year’s All-Ireland final replay won underage All-Ireland medals, minor or U21 or both, with the new Dublin boss. The return of Shane O’Hanlon and Paul Clarke to the backroom team provides continuity; Mick Galvin will be a new voice.

Source: Irish Independent January 29, 2020 19:52 UTC