Mayo GAA club announce big change to back-room team

The club football season may have just concluded in Mayo, but already clubs are putting plans in place for the 2026 campaign.

Strength and Conditioning programs are already being followed by a number of teams and changes are taking place in various management groups around the county.

This morning, a big change has occured in the Breaffy backroom team as they look to improve on their 2025 season where Seán Deane's men were crowned Division 1 league champions before being beaten in the championship quarter-final by Westport.

The Mayo News understands that renowned team coach, Shane McCann, has stepped away from his role with the team. The Armagh native was part of the Ballina Stephenites team who won the All-Ireland senior club title in 2005, and has developed an impressive coaching resumé in recent years.

He coached the Mayo U-17 team to the All-Ireland final in 2022 and has been on the sideline with Breaffy for the past two championship seasons. He has now stepped away from the role for personal reasons.

This morning, it has been confirmed that former Galway footballer John Donnellan has joined the Breaffy backroom team as preparations for the 2026 season get underway.

The Dunmore native is a member of a famed family football dynasty, and has built an impressive reputation in coaching circles across Connacht. This will be his second stint with Breaffy having been involved with the West-Mayo men some years ago. He coached Eastern Gaels to the Mayo Junior final this year and will now look to help Breaffy make their mark on the 2026 senior campaign.