James Horan doesn't think Kerry will use his post-Allianz Football League final comment that Mayo should have beaten them by "10-12 points" as motivation ahead of next Sunday's Super 8s first round clash in Killarney.

A four-point defeat flattered the Kingdom when the sides last met on March 31 at Croke Park, but Horan's remarks still took many by surprise, including former Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice who described them as “clunky and careless comment at best".

Speaking to the media after last night's win over Galway, the Mayo manager played down his comments when saying: “I’m sure Kerry really don’t care what I say, to be honest. I just thought that on the day, we created a lot of goal chances that we didn’t take.

“We took our first two, but missed our next three. That was my initial reaction. I try and be as straight as I can. I don’t think Kerry will give two hoots about what I say.”

Reflecting on Mayo's first championship victory over the Tribesmen in four years, Horan said: “Our aim was to win the game and get into the Super 8s. We’re really happy with the start and the energy we showed throughout the whole game, from some of our newest guys and some of our experienced guys.

“I thought overall the work-rate and effort was very good so delighted with that aspect of it and obviously happy to be heading down to Kerry next weekend.

“We're looking forward to it. We’ve had a few clashes with Kerry already this year and we’re looking forward to going down there, we genuinely are. Games are coming hot and heavy and the game-to-training ratio is the way you want it.”

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