As long as Mayo keep winning, Cillian O'Connor is happy for Aidan O'Shea to hog all the limelight.

Despite scoring 1-7 in Dr Hyde Park last Sunday, the Ballintubber marksman was overshadowed by his full-forward line colleague who pilfered 3-4 against the Yeats County.

"It does take the heat off, Aidan is another point in the attack," Connor said to The Examiner at the launch of the All-Ireland football series yesterday.

"We've always had runners in the half-forward line to take some heat off us, but even more so this year with Aido. I've found myself in my space.

"He's improved his ball skill a lot, improved his handling and hand positioning. His footwork too, and he's more skilful than people thought holding the ball and making sure he's bowling them over, like in U16 club games against us.

"He's very disciplined, and careful where he puts the ball and his hand. He's flying."

He continued: "Aidan is a quality midfielder. He's doing alright at full forward now, but we're keeping our options at midfield. Seamus [O'Shea] is there, Tom Parsons as well, Barry Moran, so we've options."

Another player who has added an extra dimension to the Connacht champions this year is Cillian's younger brother Diarmuid.

"Diarmuid has grown, is stronger, and has taken on some of the scoring burden.

"He would have played midfield underage and a little bit in the forwards. He was always good for a point or two, but he has put a lot of effort now into his shooting, his finishing and decision-making, when to go for it and when not to go for it.

"I don't know if he had any wides the last day, his shot-selection was very good too."

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