Scoring a hat-trick at Championship level is rare enough, however O'Connor admits he would have to go back to his 'Under-12 days' for his last trio of goals in a single match.

There was no soccer-style presentation of the match ball after the wins over London and Donegal, something which probably suited the Ballintubber clubman who has a steely focus on keeping his starting place in a winning side.

"Mainly because it's going to cement my place in the team for a while anyway," said the young forward of the knock-on effect of tallying up 6-7 in just 89 minutes of football.

"That's my first concern. When I was out (injured) looking in, there were lads playing so well like Enda Varley, Michael Conroy and Jason Doherty, and I was worrying I wasn't going to get back in.

"That's the reason I'd be happy getting scores like that. I'd be thinking, 'right, I'm back in James' mind now for the first 15, and that's the first step to playing in Croker'."

Mayo manager James Horan will name his side for the semi-final after training tonight and he is unlikely to make any changes from the 4-17 to 1-10 hammering of All-Ireland champions Donegal, albeit with goalkeeper Kenneth O'Malley and corner forward Michael Conroy both back fit and itching to be included.

Asked about his sudden glut of goals, O'Connor modestly suggests that he benefited from some good fortune and that his team-mates' approach work deserves more credit than his own finishing.

"I think I'm probably playing a bit closer to goal, maybe, that could be it. The bounce of the ball went my way, definitely, for three or four of the goals," he insisted.

"I can't take huge credit because against London especially the lads laid them on a plate for me. The credit for those goals goes further out the field than me.

"I was just happy to be in the right place at the right time. I've another year's experience under my belt and a bit more responsibility falls your way every year that passes."

The 21-year-old would dearly love to shoot Mayo into their second successive All-Ireland final, the fact that he is even playing at this stage of the season being all the more impressive given that in May he damaged the same shoulder which he dislocated last year.

O'Connor admits that it was 'touch and go' for a while as to whether he would be back in time for the business end of the westerners' Championship campaign.

"I remember sitting in the back of the ambulance and that's when my mind really started to race," he explained, looking back to the day of his injury in a club game for Ballintubber.

"I was thinking about later on in the year, 'ifs' and 'buts' and the medics wouldn't give me a straight answer on when I'd be back.

"It was a scary time, but thankfully I put faith in the medical team and it paid off. I was back quicker than anticipated. I want to keep doing my training and rehab and keep making it stronger to stay on the field.

"But to come through 30 minutes against London, especially after the boys had given us a bit of a cushion, was brilliant.

"Then for the lads to lay the scores on for me like that, was great for my confidence and to reassure me that I was back and able to play.

"I think the apprehension is gone. I'm confident in it, I think it is gone. I'm back fully fit and I want to train hard and just look forward to the 25th."

It will be fascinating to see how the free-scoring O'Connor gets on against Tyrone's hard-edged defence this weekend. In their six Championship outings so far this summer, the Red Hands have conceded 12 or less points in four games with only Donegal (2-10) and Meath (2-9) breaking that barrier.

Tyrone also boast a considerable amount of All-Ireland medal-winning experience and their long-serving boss Mickey Harte is fiercely determined to lead them back to the glory days of 2003, 2005 and 2008.

"Even from the Monaghan (quarter-final) game they looked impressive. They can get scores all over the place," added O'Connor, giving his own assessment of the Ulster giants.

"There are so many All-Ireland medals in that squad. We're just looking forward to it.

"No team seemed to put up big scores on them, and then they have got the experience. They've been there and done it. Croke Park seems to be where they come alive."