BACK IN THE COUNTY COLOURS New Mayo Under-20 football manager Maurice Sheridan is pictured in action for Mayo in 2003. Pic: Sportsfile
Ger Flanagan
THE ‘Bainisteoir’ bib for the Mayo Under-20 football team this year will be worn by Maurice Sheridan after he was officially ratified as the new manager by Mayo GAA club representatives at an online County Board meeting tonight (Thursday).
Both Sheridan and last year’s Mayo Under-17 manager, Tomás Morley, were interviewed for the Under-20 position last night (Wednesday), with the interview committee subsequently recommending Sheridan for ratification.
The Mayo News understands that the 47 year-old from Balla will be assisted by former Mayo defender and vice-captain Peadar Gardiner (an All-Ireland club championship winner with Crossmolina in 2001); Alan Molloy from Knockmore (who was part of the North Mayo club’s senior management team last season); Kieran Kilkenny (Mayo GAA Games Promotional Officer and former Davitts forward); along with Corofin native Kieran Murphy.
Sheridan won three Connacht senior championship titles and one National League medal during his nine seasons with the Mayo senior team, where he played alongside the likes of current Mayo senior manager, James Horan, and established himself as an exceptionally reliable free-taker.
He also lined out with Balla in the 1993 Mayo senior championship final before later transferring to Salthill/Knocknacarra – where he now lives – captaining them to an All-Ireland club title in 2006 with victory over St Gall’s of Antrim in Croke Park.
A father of three, Sheridan has also managed the NUI Galway Sigerson Cup team for the past four years, losing out narrowly in the 2018 final to UCD.
He’s also been involved in the underage coaching circles of Salthill/Knocknacarra, and managed the club’s senior team, alongside former Mayo footballer Anthony Finnerty, last year.
Sheridan works as a secondary school teacher in Claregalway, where he coaches the school’s senior football team.
He’s also previously coached alongside former Mayo minor football manager, Tony Duffy, at St Louis CS, Kiltimagh.
This year’s Connacht Under-20 football championship campaign is due to begin on the weekend of April 3/4. It is being played on a knock-out basis on three successive weekends.
