Former Mayo Minor manager rules out return to management this year

FORMER Mayo Minor manager Sean Deane has ruled out a return to management in 2024.

Deane, who managed the Mayo Under-17 team to back-to-back Connacht titles in 2022 and 2023 and guided them to an All-Ireland final in 2022, has told The Mayo News that he has stepped away from football commitments this year due to work commitments.

His club, Breaffy, are still without a manager since Konrad Coghill and his backroom team stepped down after their county final defeat to Ballina Stephenites last year.

The closing date for applications passed last night (Friday) and despite speculation, The Mayo News understands that Deane will not be among those interviewed by the club executive in the coming days.

When contacted by The Mayo News this morning (Saturday) the Kiltane native and Breaffy resident said it was a difficult decision to step away from football for the 2024 season.

“I'm immersed in the game and the development of successful team environments and am humbled to have been included in conversations when people spoke about possible new club managers across the county. However, recent changes in work mean that I couldn't give a full commitment until late summer and that's not good enough in a competitive environment,” said Deane, who works as a bank executive.

“The club scene in Mayo is among the best in the country and very attractive for anyone looking to work at the top level. I look forward to being back in the dressing room in the not too distant future.”