Top Mayo clubs on the hunt for new managers

AS club championship football draws to a close in counties across the land, the season of managerial change gets underway. It's no different in Mayo with a number of clubs already looking for new guidance ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Rumours abound as cards are held close to chests and behind-the-scenes conversations litter the airways. A number of prominent clubs are already on the hunt and well-respected coaches both inside and outside the county have been contacted in recent days.

Among the clubs looking to put management teams in place are Kilmeena after John Reilly stepped down following seven years in charge of the Clew Bay side. The former All-Ireland Junior champions were relegated when Belmullet out-played them in the senior relegation final in Ballina a few weeks ago and The Mayo News understands the Belmullet men are also in the hunt for a new boss.

Peter Mulry and Michal Gaynard had been in charge of the Erris men for the past two seasons, but the role is now vacant. The joint-managers guided the team to Division 1 league football in their first season, retained that status in 2024, the first time that occurred since the early nineties, but this year's championship was a case of what-might-have-been.

In the group stages, the Erris men lost narrowly to Claremorris in the opening round when they lined out without inter-county star Ryan O'Donoghue and had their other county man Eoin O'Donoghue sent off. The following day they were edged out by Ballaghaderreen with both O'Donoghues absent and in the final group game they were caught at the death by Knockmore after leading by four points in the second half. 

A defeat at the hands of Charlestown in the relegation semi-final where Eoin O'Donoghue picked up an arm injury sent them into the death-match with Kilmeena where they played some fine football and secured their senior status.

The Mayo News understands that Mulry stepped away from his position shortly after the relegation final, and after consulting the players, Gaynard followed him a few days later.

The Erris men have had some high-profile managers in recent years with Nigel Reape, Damien Mulligan and Liam McHale among those who have filled the bainisteoir's bib. Who the next occupant will be remains to be seen.