Mayo ‘Academy’ set to be launched

Board prepare to roll out new coaching programme


Mike Finnerty
mikefinnerty@mayonews.ie

THE Mayo GAA Board is on the brink of rolling out the eagerly-awaited coaching and development programme for young county footballers between the ages of 19 and 22.
Providing a ‘pathway’ programme for players when they finish their Mayo minor careers in order to bridge the gap to U-21 and senior level is one of the points contained in the Mayo GAA Action Plan which was launched at the County Convention last December.
The Mayo News has learned that plans are an advanced stage to get the programme (which has not yet been given an official title) up and running for this year’s Mayo minor graduates.
Mayo GAA Chairman, Paddy McNicholas, confirmed that four well-known coaches are ‘on board’ and many of the finer details are expected to be tied down at a meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday).
“We’ve had two meetings already and have four people on board,” said McNicholas.
“Noel Connelly, Stephen Rochford, Kieran Gallagher and Michael Gavin will be getting involved and we may be adding more.
“In Noel, Stephen, Kieran and Michael we feel that we have four of the most experienced and qualified people in the county. They’re passionate about coaching and about Mayo football.
“This is a priority for us at the moment,” added the County Board Chairman. “I would be hoping that the four guys involved would be working with the 2012 Mayo minor players as soon as they go out of the championship, which hopefully will be in September.”
The news that Mayo are in the process of finally beginning their ‘emerging talent’ programme comes in the wake of comments by outgoing Mayo U-21 manager, Ray Dempsey, in last week’s Mayo News.
Dempsey was extremely critical of his players in the aftermath of Mayo’s defeat to Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final, citing a “lack of desire and ambition” as one of the biggest problems facing the next generation of Mayo senior footballers.
Paddy McNicholas admitted that the comments would have to be taken into account by the Mayo GAA hierarchy when finalising their plans for this new venture.
“We have to take on board the views of somebody who was involved at minor level for three years, and also at U-21 level for three years,” he said.
“Maybe we’re all to blame. People go off to college or leave school after minor and they need somebody to talk to them and direct them.
“I was very disappointed with the U-21 result against Roscommon because I know we have a serious amount of talent at our disposal.
“Ray [Dempsey] and his backroom team also worked hard with the lads and left no stone unturned in terms of preparation.
“I feel we’re doing as much as any other county is doing in terms of coaching,” added McNicholas.
“We’re running a very healthy club programme too. It’s something that the Davitts manager, Pete Warren, who has a lot of experience in other Connacht counties, has said to me on a number of occasions.
“Players are getting about 25 games a year so I don’t think there’s much more we could be doing on that front.”
In relation to the financing of the new coaching and development initiative, Paddy McNicholas said: “I don’t think that money will be a problem. Whatever is required will be found.”

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