Mayo legend Willie Joe Padden believes it could be a few years before the Westerners are competing for All-Ireland titles again following Saturday's shattering replay loss to Kerry.

The extra-time defeat marked the end of James Horan's four-year spell in charge, and Willie Joe says supporters will need to show patience while the new manager puts his stamp on the team.

"I think it will take a couple of years before we can realistically expect to be competing for a place in the All-Ireland final, and that may be no bad thing," the former All Star writes in the Western People.

"We need to regroup under new management, bring in some new players and go again. We have had two excellent minor teams in the past two years, so it is not as if there is a dearth of quality footballers in the county.

"The new manager, whoever he will be, must be allowed to take a long view instead of coming under pressure to deliver instant success."

The Belmullet man feels the outgoing Mayo management and players haven't got what they deserved for the effort they put in over the past four years.

"It is such a shame that these boys have not win an All-Ireland because they have been absolutely outstanding. What more could they have done to bring Sam back to Mayo?" he asks.

"They could have ended up with two All-Irelands from the past four years, but sadly they have none. The management also put in an extraordinary effort and James Horan deserves a lot of credit for what he has done for Mayo football."

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