Still, it was far from plain sailing. They took just two wins from seven in the league that spring, staying up with a point to spare. Horan held firm and by the time their championship started in Ruislip, Mayo looked very different.
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There were just seven survivors from the team that lost to Longford. Horan would become a man with a reputation for looking after the small details. An ash cloud had wreaked havoc with travel plans before they were due to play London, and Mayo had a plan B in place should the worst happen.