Kevin McStay says that Mayo's penalty shoot-out defeat to Derry was in many ways 'the story of their season.'
The Mayo manager didn't fault the effort of his players and claimed that they are 'close' to where they want to be, but acknowledged that they need to 'learn a little bit faster.'
Mayo's downfall has been their failure to close out games, having relinquished winning positions in the Connacht final against Galway, in the last group stage game against Dublin and again on Saturday.
McStay rued the 'errors' in the dying moments of these games in an interview on GAAGO after their elimination at the hands of Derry.
"The season is over and we've to lick our wounds," said a reflective McStay.
"We couldn't see it out, it's been the story of our season really and it's just hugely disappointing.
"We had the opportunity, we'll reflect on a season where we lost the Connacht final with the last kick of the game.
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"We don't qualify for the quarters against Dublin with the last play of the game and now we're out of the championship with the last kick of the game again.
"So I'd say, we could figure out we're having a problems with closing out games," he surmised."
Mayo GAA senior football manager Kevin McStay gave his reaction to GAAGO after this evening's All Ireland preliminary quarter final against Derry at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park. pic.twitter.com/ejj6y6rhJa
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) June 22, 2024
McStay admitted that Mayo have 'suffered badly' as a result of their failure to 'manage games,' while acknowledging that good teams have punished these shortcomings.
"The other teams are trying hard to get an equaliser and stay in the game so it's all hands on deck and you're so careful.
"You don't want to foul and you're trying to keep them pushed out," he said.
"Doesn't it tell us we're close.
"But until we tidy up the errors that are leaving our opponents in the game, it's probably going to be that way for a while, and that's our big work on is to try and improve our skills.
"We had opportunities to finish the game obviously but our skill-set let us down the odd time."
"Overall, I'm going to say, the comeback to rescue the game twice was magnificent.
"The nerve to get those equalisers near the end and push it to penalties was superb."
When asked how he would address the Mayo players in the dressing room after their defeat, McStay admitted it would be hard but thanked them for 'a great season.'
"It's going to be hard now. What do you say to them.
"They've given every ounce tonight for Mayo.
"Overall I'm going to say, on behalf of all Mayo people, thanks for a great season you've given us. It's not where we want to be, we want to be cracking onto Croke park next week but that's not going to happen now."
