Mayo County Board monthly meeting scheduled for Monday as big questions need answering

A much-anticipated monthly meeting of the Mayo County Board will take place next Monday, July 7, in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

The last meeting took place on Monday, May 26 when the GAA president Jarlath Burns and the director general of the association Tom Ryan were present in Knockranny House in Westport when club delegates and officials convened. 

Since then, there has been drama aplenty. While that meeting with Burns and Ryan was taking place Mayo GAA announced that Kevin Mc Stay was to step aside from his role as senior team manager as the Ballina native was dealing with health issues. Stephen Rochford stepped in as Mayo overcame Tyrone and the Crossmolina man also led the Green and Red into battle with Donegal, but ultimately that last-gasp defeat to Jim McGuinness’s charges ended Mayo’s season. 

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Days later, there was an explosion on social media platforms when the news filtered out that Kevin McStay and his management team were “relieved from their roles.” The manner in which the statement was published by the Coiste Bainistíocht caught local and national attention with the statement being universally criticised. The fact that the decision had been made without consulting the club delegates hasn't gone down well in many corners of the county.

Monday's board meeting is going to be interesting with some big questions needing answers. How did Kevin McStay’s dismissal come about? Was there discussion between all the relevant parties? Was there a full end of season review? The timing of the dismissal of McStay and his backroom team would suggest the executive have now plenty of time for a fresh appointment. Could this be done before the club Championship commences in August or are the people in charge waiting for the right opportunity? 

In terms of appointing a new management team, will there be a rigid interview process or are there a shortlist of favoured choices? Names like fan favourite Andy Moran and All-Ireland winning manager Austin O’Malley have been speculated as potential appointees as has Armagh great Oisin McConville.

Previous manager, James Horan is also sure to be on the shortlist, and John Maughan who guided Mayo to the 1996 and '97 All-Ireland finals has also been mentioned in some quarters. Tony McEntee, who worked under Stephen Rochford when he was in charge of Mayo and just recently stepped down as Sligo boss is rumoured to be the preferred choice of some members of the executive, but there is no evidence to back up any of the speculation which is gripping the county.

You can read more about what occurs at the County Board meeting on Tuesday by clicking here.

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