Small margins are all that have separated Mayo from having some points on the board after their first three outings in the LGFA National Football League.
Mayo are currently pointless in division one after narrow defeats at home to Cork in round one and then against Kerry in round two, before going down on the road against Waterford in their last game a fortnight ago.
Tomorrow afternoon they will face into their biggest test of the year so far when they travel to Navan to take on the two-in-a-row All Ireland Senior Football Champions Meath in round three.
In their three games so far, Mayo have managed to hit 0-38 but have conceded 7-25 (0-46 ) and it is the concession of goals that has hurt them, conceding two against both Cork and Waterford and three when they faced Kerry. But if they can tighten up on that front and find the back of the net with more regularity, they have shown they can keep pace with the rest, with the 7-25 they conceded a total of 32 scores to the 38 they have put up, with the goals being the major factor.
Meath have picked up one win and one draw from their opening three games so far in the league, losing narrowly to Dublin in round one before edging past Donegal in round two and being held to a 0-9 to 0-9 draw by Galway in round three, with the Tribeswomen levelling the game up thanks to a last minute free.
Mayo will be hoping to see both Shauna Howley and Lisa Cafferkey keep up their good scoring form from their last game where both players hit five points each from their tally of 13, but with a few more scores being chipped in by other players, with just single points recorded by Sinead Cafferkey, Maria Cannon and Sinead Walsh last time out.
Meath haven't been on top form yet this season, but with a week's break behind them and large home support, it will be a serious challenge for Mayo to come home with anything. But they will have the confidence that they can go toe-to-toe with the Royal County and if they mange to hold things a bit tighter at the back and find their scoring prowess, they will be ready to give their all tomorrow afternoon.
