Football

Mayo manager Kevin McStay happy with Conor Loftus's move to centre half back

Mayo centre half-back Conor Loftus (left) challenges Armagh's Andrew Murnin.
Mayo centre half-back Conor Loftus (left) challenges Armagh's Andrew Murnin. Mayo centre half-back Conor Loftus (left) challenges Armagh's Andrew Murnin.

HE may be going backwards in terms of his field position, but Conor Loftus is only improving as centre half-back believes Mayo manager Kevin McStay.

The Crossmolina clubman has previously been a forward, then a midfielder, but the new boss has re-purposed him as a number six this season and both player and team are reaping the rewards.

“What Conor brings to it is he’s a gorgeous footballer,” said McStay, in the aftermath of Mayo’s Division One Allianz Football League Final victory over neighbours Galway.

“He’s a forward in a former life, he’s very accurate. He’s also very crispy on the ball, he covers ground very quickly. People just think he’s in there for kick-passing the ball, but he’s doing so much more than that.

“He’s a very good reader of the game. He’s a natural footballer, he knows where danger is. We’re very pleased with him. I know there’s a debate, but that’s just noise as far as I’m concerned.

“We’re very pleased with Conor, we got a great show out of him in this League. That was only his eighth big game in that position so he’s going to get better and better, I’m sure.”

Mayo's Conor Loftus tracks Tyrone's Kieran McGeary in the 2021 All-Ireland SFC Final. Picture: Seamus Loughran
Mayo's Conor Loftus tracks Tyrone's Kieran McGeary in the 2021 All-Ireland SFC Final. Picture: Seamus Loughran Mayo's Conor Loftus tracks Tyrone's Kieran McGeary in the 2021 All-Ireland SFC Final. Picture: Seamus Loughran

Asked about putting the responsibility of playing such a pivotal position onto a player adapting to that role, McStay expressed confidence that Loftus can deal with the challenge, citing his experience and his approach to football and life in general:

“Well, he’s around a good while. He’s 27, 28, he’s around a good while. He’s a confident young man, a very together fella, so nothing out there would frighten him too much.

“He’ll get stuck in, he has that honesty we’re trying to get into the team. Good, strong attitude – he’s definitely a strong centre back for us, we’re very pleased with him.”