Former Mayo ’keeper to replace Seán Carey
Mike Finnerty
MAYO goalkeeping coach Peter Burke has been promoted to the role of team selector by manager Stephen Rochford ahead of the start of the 2017 season.
The former Mayo goalkeeper will replace Seán Carey in Rochford’s management team, after the ex-Kiltane forward decided to step down from his role as a selector after just one season.
The Mayo News understands that Burke will continue in his capacity as Mayo’s goalkeeping coach next year, and will work alongside both Tony McEntee and Donie Buckley in a selector and coaching capacity.
Burke (41) has been part of the Mayo senior backroom set-up for the last six seasons and, as well as continuity, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.
Meanwhile, a large number of players accepted Stephen Rochford’s invitation to attend a Mayo senior fitness ‘testing’ session last Saturday in Castlebar.
Among those who attended last weekend’s assessment were David Clarke and Brendan Harrison, who both returned from the All Stars football trip to Abu Dhabi last week.
However, Harrison was unable to take part in the exhibition game after undergoing a hip operation last month. The Aghamore defender is expected to be sidelined until the start of the National League in February.
Young Footballer of the Year, Diarmuid O’Connor, is also going to be out of action for some time after tearing his hamstring while on duty with DCU’s footballers last week.
O’Connor picked up the injury during the college’s Higher Education Division 1 League Final defeat to Ulster University Jordanstown.
Under GAA regulations, the Mayo squad won’t be returning to collective training until December 29.
The majority of Mayo’s 2016 panel are due to leave for their team holiday in South Africa in early January, with Mayo due to begin their FBD League campaign on Sunday, January 8 against NUI, Galway in Castlebar.
