Formerly of Jim Gavin's Dublin backroom team, Jason Sherlock explained where he has seen the influence of Ciaran McDonald manifest itself in how their frequent opponents Mayo have gone about setting themselves up this season.
In his first year away from the inter-county game in a number of years, Jason Sherlock has enjoyed being able to watch Gaelic football from a somewhat more objective angle.
One of those working in the background as Dublin relentlessly won five All-Ireland titles in succession, he said at a SuperValu GAA Roadshow with OTB Sports how he has particularly noticed some changes in Mayo and how they are going about their business this year.
"The impact and imprint of Ciaran McDonald on that management team," he suggested, "I think subtly he has made a big difference to what's gone on there.
"Even seeing Aidan O'Shea in at full-forward and the type of players they're playing in games now, I see the fingerprints of Ciaran McDonald all over that Mayo team."
As a player for Mayo, Jason Sherlock had little trouble admitting that he got great enjoyment out of watching Ciaran McDonald in years gone by.
Recruited by James Horan onto Mayo's backroom team ahead of the 2020 season, the man from Crossmolina is not the only one exerting an influence over Mayo that has piqued Sherlock's interest.
"I heard James Horan say before one of their games that they had picked a team with a lot of power," he stated. "I think that's the result of a very focused thought process - particularly with the winter conditions and where they need to go for the ultimate success.
"They certainly have a number of athletes there and with O'Shea closer to the goal, Mayo have an option to kick the ball in as well and take advantage of the mark."
1 March 2020; Aidan O'Shea of Mayo contests a high ball. Photo by SportsfileContrary to what has been suggested elsewhere, Sherlock does not regard Horan's Mayo as a team that is in the process of rebuilding.
"I think they are ready to strike," he suggested, confident that Connacht champions will have too much for their Munster opponents Tipperary this weekend.
"Having no crowd there - and I referred to this before the championship started - I felt that in the past they have been fueled by the crowd both positively and negatively. Removing that now could potentially give them a great chance to have the ultimate success this year."
Keep an eye across all of OTB Sports' social channels in the coming days for more great interviews as we build up to the All-Ireland semi-finals on our SuperValu GAA Roadshow
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