Dave McConn and Tom Phillips step down as Mayo senior hurling managers

The Mayo GAA senior hurling joint-management team of Dave McConn and Tom Phillips have informed the Mayo GAA County Board this week that they will not be taking up the second year of their two-year contract as managers of the county's senior hurling team.

McConn and Phillips, who thanked the Mayo County Board and the Mayo GAA hurling committee for their support over the past 12 months, stated they were stepping down for personal and business reasons. They wished Mayo hurling, both club and county, well in the future.

The pair were appointed joint managers last October after Derek Walsh stood down from the role. Despite not progressing in the Allianz National Hurling League or Christy Ring Championship, McConn and Phillips developed and improved numerous players and gave an opportunity to hurlers from new clubs to play for the county.

Mayo GAA chairperson Seamus Tuohy thanked Dave McConn and Tom Phillips for their commitment and dedication to Mayo hurling.

He said: “I would like to thank Dave and Tom and their backroom team for all the work and time they gave to Mayo hurling and in particular the way they developed so many new players that have gone on to represent the Mayo senior hurling team.”

Mayo GAA hurling committee chairperson Sean Ó Raghallaigh thanked Dave and Tom, stating they had made a tremendous contribution to the development of hurling in the county not just in the past year but also over many years.

“Dave and Tom are brilliant ambassadors for hurling and I want to thank them for that leadership, vision and commitment. As true hurling people, I am sure they will continue to promote the game both within their own clubs and within Mayo in the years to come,” commented Mr. Ó Raghallaigh.

In the coming weeks, Mayo GAA will revert to the hurling clubs within the county for nominations for the position of senior hurling manager for next year.