Kevin McStay felt getting points on the board from their Allianz League opener against Galway was paramount for Mayo with All-Ireland holders Dublin's visit to Castlebar this weekend looming.
The reigning Division 1 champions ran out 2-12 to 0-10 winners in Salthill over their Connacht rivals in wet and windy conditions with goals from Eoghan McLaughlin and Cillian O'Connor helping to ensure a winning start to the League.
All-Ireland champions Dublin are up next at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Saturday evening.
"They're two marvellous points to have in the bag. It didn't matter who the opposition was really, it was just get the two points and get the league launched for us," McStay told RTÉ Sport after the match at Pearse Stadium.
"It's better to be looking at two now. We go training on Wednesday night and (it's better) than trying to go into the match against the All-Ireland champions next Saturday with no points, so (I'm) very pleased with that."
On the possibility of looking to make a concerted effort to win back-to-back league titles, he added: "I'd like to follow that up with another good performance against Dublin and then we'll take stock after that and see where we are."
McStay remained relatively coy on potential tactical tweaks Mayo may have implemented in the off-season and targeted longer-term development over the course of the league.
"There's something different about us every January," he quipped, "It's how we'll be in May or June that will be the test.
"The journey starts with the first baby step and it's January. We're up and running now and let's see where it brings us."
As for the bragging rights over Galway, who were understrength amid injuries to the likes of Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, Cillian McDaid and Damien Comer, and confirmation Peter Cooke has stepped away for the season, McStay felt the sense of satisfaction was generally matched by the tenor of the performance.
"They are keen rivals but Roscommon and Sligo are up there as well and Leitrim not too far," he said.
"Connacht is competitive so of course every day you go out against your rivals, you want to give a good account of yourselves and we weren't too bad over the full match."
Watch Mayo v Dublin in the Allianz Football League on Saturday from 7.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch highlights on Allianz League Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 9.30pm, follow a live blog every Sunday afternoon on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
