Huge news.
Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes have taken the decision themselves to end the controversy surrounding the Mayo football team this week, by stepping down from their positions as joint managers.
The pair revealed that they were ‘deeply disappointed’ to do so having agreed a three-year term with the county but, in their decision to resign with immediate effect, they have indicated that they are removing any obstacle that the players might perceive as preventing them from success.
It brings to a close the crisis that looked to be circulating around the team in the wake of their All-Ireland semi final exit and the subsequent rumours that the players had held a private meeting which resulted in a vote of no-confidence for the management team.
The Mayo county board revealed that a meeting was held on Friday night to discuss Thursday’s meeting between the board and the players. Both Holmes and Connelly were then briefed on said meeting and given a review of the season.
The result was the following statement:
“It is with heavy hearts that we wish to announce that we (Noel Connelly & Pat Holmes) are stepping down from our role as joint managers of the Mayo Senior Football Team with immediate effect.
“We took on the job on a three-year basis and had been looking forward to building on what had been achieved this year. We are passionate about Mayo Football and it is deeply disappointing not to complete our project.
“By resigning we wish to remove any obstacle that the players might perceive as preventing them from winning the All-Ireland.
“We would like to thank the back-room team for their superb effort and commitment. We wish to thank the Mayo County Board for their support and for all the funding and resources they provided for the team. We would like to thank the players for all their efforts during 2015. We would also like to thank the people of Mayo for the huge support and messages of goodwill throughout the year and in the last week. Mhaigh Éo Abú.”
The Mayo statement on the matter goes on to reveal that Holmes and Connelly received a standing ovation after their resignation.
‘The statement was greeted with a round of applause and standing ovation from the members of the executive before the joint managers departed the meeting.’
