Former Mayo football star and frontrunner exits manager race

Former Mayo manager James Horan has ruled himself out of the race to be the next manager of the county team.

There had been speculation that the Ballintubber man, who has managed the county on two separate occasions in the past, would be one of the names throwing his hat in the ring to take charge following the decision to relieve Kevin McStay of his duties in recent weeks.

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However, the former player with the Green and Red and multiple All-Star winner put paid to those notions when he appeared on the Irish Examiner podcast.

“I won’t be going for the Mayo manager position,” stated Horan. “Not at all. It is not for me.

“I had a go at that and I think it's time for Mayo to look at someone different or something different. I’m just a supporter and happy in that position, going to the games with my young fella, cheering them on."

He also revealed that he has informed the chairman of the Mayo GAA county board, Seamus Tuohy, of his decision not to run for the role.

"Where I am at the moment, I’ve had a chat with Seamus Tuohy on that just to clear it up, because I don’t even want my name associated with it in case there is any confusion. Absolutely not.”

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The topic of who will be chosen to lead the county’s footballing fortunes in 2026 is one that will garner plenty of conversation at the Mayo County Board meeting this evening (Monday, July 7).