McStay and Deane address Mayo delegates
AT the recent Mayo GAA County Board meeting, the new manager of the county senior team, Kevin McStay, and the minor team manager, Sean Deane, addressed the delegates. Both of them gave updates on their plans for the coming months.
McStay said he was honoured to be appointed the Mayo senior manager and he thanked the officers of the board for their professionalism in the interview process.
“I want to thank the board for the confidence they have shown in me by giving me a four-year contract,” he stated. “I want to thank them for their professionalism throughout the whole process. Indeed, the level of support and co-operation I am receiving from everyone is very encouraging,” said McStay.
He continued: “Going forward, our management team is nearly fully functional. I intend to work very closely with the Under 20 manager, Maurice Sheridan. This age group gives them a pathway to senior and we aim to help Maurice in any way we can.
“Mayo GAA is a very strong organisation and Mayo is a big brand. We have all to work together.
“We met the panel (believed to be 50-strong) last Saturday and outlined our plans. We will have our first training session on November 30 and our first competitive game will be on January 14, when we will meet the winners of Galway versus Leitrim in the Connacht league quarterfinal. This game will be held in the Dome in the Centre of Excellence, Bekan.
“The Allianz National Football League fixtures have not been made yet. So we still have to wait and see who we have at home and away and when we play them. The only other big fixture we know is the Connacht senior championship quarterfinal against Roscommon. This will be played here in Hastings Insurance McHale Park on April 9,” concluded Mr. McStay.
Meanwhile, Mr. Deane told the delegates they are going to look at 95 players in total before cutting the panel down to 40 in February.
“We have selected a total of 95 players that we are to further look at over the coming weeks and months. We have arranged six challenge games and we have pencilled in six in-house games. Then, come February, we will cut this down to 40 players and take it from there,” Sean said.
Mayo Under 20 manager Maurice Sheridan was unable to attend the meeting as he had a prior engagement.