Three years as Mayo manager: A look back at Kevin McStay's stint in charge of the Green and Red

AS the fall-out from Kevin McStay's shock removal from his role as Mayo manager continues to grow, we look back on the Ballina man's three-year term in charge of the county's senior football team.

The Ballina native was handed a four-year contract in August of 2022 when he took over from the experienced James Horan. Now, three seasons into the four year spell, McStay has had his management spell cut short after last night’s decision made by the Mayo County Board’s hierarchy. 

The decision has come as a surprise to many and numerous people including well-known pundits have expressed their dismay at the statement issued by Mayo GAA last night. 

READ MORE: Kevin McStay and his management team dismissed by Mayo GAA

YEAR ONE

In his first season, the man who managed St Brigid's of Roscommon to the All-Ireland club title and then guided the Roscommon senior team to the Connacht title in 2017, achieved immediate glory when managing Mayo to the National league title.

Galway were beaten on that famous day in Croke Park, but it turned out to be a bitter-sweet win. A week later, Mayo were in Connacht Championship action against Roscommon in Castlebar and the guests gleefully defeated the Green and Red.

That setback sent Mayo into the All-Ireland Championship Group Stages. That quest began exceptionally well with an impressive win over Kerry, followed by a less impressive win over Louth. However, in the final group game, Mayo suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Cork in Limerick. That sent Mayo into a preliminary quarter final against Galway in Salthill. McStay's men won that clash but only remained in the championship another week before being dumped out by Dublin in Croke Park.

YEAR TWO

The 2024 league campaign was a mixed bag as Mayo recorded wins over Galway, Dublin and Roscommon to retain their status in Division 1. A trip stateside was first on the menu in the Connacht Championship and Mayo ran out convincing winners in New York. A trip to Hyde Park was next and the Green and Red turned over Roscommon in commanding fashion. The Connacht decider was next against Galway in Salthill and the intriguing contest went down to the wire before Connor Gleeson stepped up to kick over from a dubious free to win the game and bring heartbreak to the Mayo contingent.

The group stage threw up good wins over Cavan and Roscommon which was followed by a meeting with Dublin in Hyde Park to decide who topped the group. A positive display from the Mayo men was cut short when a last-gasp Dublin point resulted in a stalemate which meant Mayo finished second in the group. That result secured Mayo a home preliminary quarter-final with Derry. Once again, Mayo failed to close out the game from a winning position and a penalty shoot-out was needed before Derry advanced and ended the home side's season.

YEAR THREE

After blooding numerous young players in 2025, Mayo reached the league final in dramatic circumstances where they faced Kerry. A six-point defeat in Croke Park came as Mayo turned their full focus towards the Connacht Championship which came days later. Although Kevin McStay’s men overcame Sligo and Leitrim, the fashion of those wins was poor and unimpressive. It seemed as if all the eggs were in the Connacht Final basket and Mayo put in a brave showing against Galway in the decider in Castlebar sent McStay's men into the All-Ireland series.

READ MORE: 'Shameful' - The GAA world reacts to Kevin McStay dismissal by Mayo county board

That campaign started horribly with a shock defeat to Cavan in Castlebar. Tyrone in Omagh was next on the list but in the interim, Kevin McStay was taken ill at a training session and had to step back from his role on the sideline. In his absence, Stephen Rochford stepped into the role and Mayo recorded a thrilling win in Healy Park. 

That win created a date-with-destiny against Donegal in Hyde Park. If Mayo won or drew the game they would progress to the knock-out stages of the championship. However, the Green and Red were once again thwarted by a last-second score which ended their season. 

RECORD

In 45 games in charge of Mayo, Kevin McStay has led the team to 25 wins while suffering 15 losses and 5 draws. A win rate of 55% wasn't enough to impress the Mayo County Board before the Ballina man and his management team were “relieved of their roles” last night after a Coiste Bainistíocht meeting was held in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.