James Horan and his Mayo team's eyes have been firmly focused on three big dates coming up over the next few weeks.
Last weekend the GAA confirmed their fixture list for the recommencement of the National League - which has two rounds left to play and the plan for the senior football championship.
Mayo will have to hit the ground running when they make the short trip to Tuam Stadium on Sunday, October 18 with throw-in at 2pm - the game will be shown live on TG4.
The following Sunday is the final round of action in the league when Mayo host Tyrone in MacHale Park with throw-in at 2pm again. Mayo need to pick up some big results in these final two league games.
They currently sit in second last place in the table with three points, thanks to their win over Meath and their draw with Donegal on the opening night of the league, all the way back on the 25th of January.
A loss to Galway will see Mayo staring into the barrel of relegation to division two of the league for the first time in decades, while Galway were flying in the league before the Covid-19 lockdown, winning four from five.
Once the league action is wrapped up, there is not time to take stock as Mayo will open their championship account with a trip to Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada, in Carrick-on-Shannon, on Sunday November 1 at 1.15pm, to take on Leitrim in the Connacht Senior Football Championship quarter-finals.
If Horan’s men get over that game - all roads will lead to Hyde Park and a meeting with Roscommon in the Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final, which is penciled in for Sunday, November 8 with a 1.30pm throw-in. The Connacht decider will take place the following Sunday with a 1.30pm throw-in.
The Mayo senior hurlers will also get back to action this month with their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign getting underway on Saturday, October 24, where they will make the long trip to Castleblayney to take on Monaghan at 2pm.
