Former Cork great Larry Tompkins reckons Mayo's players need to "grow up a small bit".

Tompkins comments are unlikely to go down well with the Connacht champions as the All-Ireland winning captain added that James Horan's players "lack the stomach" to end the county's 63-year-wait for the Sam Maguire silverware.

"I wouldn't be turning around blaming James Horan for the last two final defeats," Tompkins said to the Examiner.

"You have to be able to process the hype and the suction of the final. A player must be able to keep total concentration. That is where Mayo are falling down. They would want to grow up a small bit.

"They would want to stop putting the heat on themselves when it comes to an All-Ireland final. They need to get out there and play. The players, for some reason, lack the stomach to get the best out of themselves on All-Ireland final day. They have to rectify that themselves."

Mayo will square up to Munster champions Kerry with a place in this year's final up for grabs and Tompkins continued: "Take Alan Dillon. He has played in four All-Ireland finals, lost all four and taken off in two of them. In the final they just can't seem to perform.

"Cillian O'Connor, Donal Vaughan, the O'Shea brothers and Alan Dillon must step up to the mark when the need is greatest. They haven't done that yet.

"Lots of players don't get to an All-Ireland, let alone get the chance to redeem themselves with a second All-Ireland final opportunity.

"In Alan Dillon's case, he has played in four. They have had their chances. Whether they get the chance again this year, I don't know. The big players in Mayo need to show more leadership.

"Players to have to stand up to their performance. Leadership must come from the players on the field.

"A manager's role can be over-emphasised in the winning and losing of a game. When I was playing and if we lost I wouldn't be blaming Billy Morgan. I don't go along with the saying that manager's win and lose games.

"Players must have the will to win and that is developed through commitment and training."

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