Huge news coming out of Mayo. Even bigger news in Roscommon.
Mayo footballers are reported to have voted on the future of joint managers Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes with a ‘no’ verdict emerging from a players’ meeting.
The joint managers guided the county to a provincial title in 2015 en route to an All-Ireland semi final where they held Dublin the first day only to go down in a replay to the eventual champions.
But the Connaught Telegraph are reporting that the senior footballers met in Breaffy for a private team meeting on September 19 and, after a ballot was taken, a motion of no confidence was passed amongst the players. That verdict was then supposed to have been issued to the management duo by captain and vice captain Keith Higgins and Cillian O’Connor over the weekend.
Major breaking story on Mayo Football Management Team, this weeks front page – full inside story in today's Telegraph pic.twitter.com/q9bt1Xpt92
— Connaught Telegraph (@thecontel) September 29, 2015
It seems that the future of Holmes and Connelly – who guided the county to an All-Ireland U21 title in 2006 – would be perilous without the backing of the players.
However, if Mayo fans were hoping to finally clinch the appointment of Kevin McStay, they should think again.
McStay won an All-Ireland club title with St. Brigid’s of Roscommon in 2013 and was favourite to replace James Horan at Mayo going in to the 2015 season but was passed over in favour of Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes.
And, whilst the job might yet become available again, Kevin McStay won’t be as the Rossies set to name the Mayo man as John Evans’ successor at Dr Hyde Park.
The Roscommon committee reached an agreement last night that McStay, along with Fergal O’Donnell, will be recommended to the County Executive to be appointed as joint managers of the county on a three-year term.
That decision – apparently imminent – will be made this week.
Committee recommends appointment of O'Donnell and McStay. See http://t.co/3JCNV4io53
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) September 28, 2015
It seems that Mayo will have to start all over again. Again.
