Give the Mayo job to the best person - forget about age barriers

IT’S not every day that Kofi Annan and Mayo GAA appear in the one sentence but these are interesting times, so let’s give it a shot.

The later Mr Annan was a Ghanaian diplomat who served as Secretary General of the United Nations between 1997 and 2006, so what has he to do with GAA matters in our great county? Nothing actually, but when I was researching a project earlier this morning I happened across a sentence from Annan that set me thinking.

“Youth is not a problem to be solved. It is a potential to be unleashed,” the former global leader stated during a speech some years ago. His words were prophetic and reflects his lifelong drive for youth empowerment and peace. Interestingly, Annan’s thoughts are very apt when it comes to Mayo GAA.

Some weeks ago, Kevin McStay was relieved of his duties as manager of the county’s senior team. Since then, there have been countless words written and spoken about who his successor should be. As always there have been innumerable suggestions, huge numbers of opinions and many preferred candidates for the role. It seems everyone has an opinion and that’s utterly correct. Thoughts, comments and opinions are the fuel of life and the happenings of Mayo GAA certainly provide plenty of fodder for that. However, some of the commentary needs to be challenged.

Personally, I want the best person to get the job. I want the Mayo senior manager to be someone who can lead and inspire his players to be the very best they can be. I want the Mayo senior manager to be someone who has the strength to forge his own path and refuse to be influenced or hindered by anyone outside the group. I want the Mayo senior manager to be someone with great tactical ability and the intelligence to take advice and direction from his talented and properly-resourced management team.

Therefore, I fervently agree with those who say that the person to get the Mayo job should be the best person for that job. It’s simple really. There should be no restrictions, no barriers. If you’re good enough, you’re good enough - simple as that.

However, when I hear people comment that Austin O’Malley, Andy Moran of men of their ilk are too young for the role it makes my blood boil. That type of commentary is very short-sighted and has nothing to back it up.

Some of our finest managers assumed the bainisteoir’s bib before they were wracked with wrinkles. John O’Mahony, John Maughan, James Horan - three men who made huge impressions on Mayo GAA and the GAA in general, were guiding Mayo’s fortunes long before pension plans came into their thought-process. They were the best men for the job at the time, so they got the job. That’s the way it should be - the best person should always get the job no matter what!

Did O’Malley disguise his youthful looks as he prepared to meet the board in Cuala before they put him in charge of their senior team? Did Moran doctor his birth-cert before being appointed Leitrim manager and did he hide his age before joining the Monaghan coaching team? 

If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. O’Malley was old enough when Cuala won the All-Ireland club title - Moran was old enough when he guided Leitrim to promotion. 

Let’s get real here. Mayo supporters want the best person to get the job and whether that person is 35 or 75 it should make no difference. Give the job to the best person and give him the resources to do his job properly.

“Youth is not a problem to be solved. It is a potential to be unleashed.”