Mayo GAA academy positions should be ‘put out to clubs’ – Mike Connelly

FORMER Mayo GAA Chairman Mike Connelly has said that public expressions of interest should be made to Mayo clubs when appointing academy managers.

At present, Mayo GAA academy coaches are selected by Mayo GAA’s Coaching Officer Declan O’Reilly, Performance Games Development Administrator Kieran Kilkenny and Games Manager Billy McNicholas.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Mayo GAA’s county board, Connelly said that appointments to academy positions should be ‘put out to the clubs’.

“While we’re recruiting the best players, we should also try to recruit the best people to manage them for future managers,” said Connelly.

Mayo GAA Chairman Séamus Touhy defended the current selection process, saying it ‘has worked well date’.

Kieran Kilkenny said that Mayo GAA would be willing to take on anyone interested in joining the intercounty coaching setup.

“If there’s anyone out there who feels there’s somebody in their club that’s in a position to help us out we will get them into the regions. If they get on well in the regions, we will elevate them to the next level,” Kilkenny said.

Declan O’Reilly said that he would have ‘no problem’ reviewing the selection process for appointing coaches.