Tooreen’s Ray Larkin ratified as new sole manager of Mayo senior hurlers
Tooreen’s Ray Larkin has been ratified as the new sole manager of the Mayo senior hurlers at a meeting of the Mayo GAA County Board in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.
Larkin had worked as joint-manager of the Mayo senior hurlers with Brian Finn for the past year but after Finn informed Mayo GAA that he was stepping back from the position for personal reasons, Larkin and the current backroom team indicated they would like to continue in the position.
Ray was proposed and ratified as the new sole manager of Mayo yesterday evening (Tuesday).
A Galway native, Ray Larkin led Tooreen Hurling Club to the AIB GAA All-Ireland intermediate hurling final against Limerick’s Monaleen in Croke Park early last year. The Kilnadeema/Leitrim club man has won five senior county hurling finals and four Connacht intermediate hurling titles as a coach and manager. He has managed the Tooreen senior hurlers since 2020.
Mayo GAA chairperson Seamus Tuohy said Larkin and his backroom team had the full support of the county board and all the hurling clubs in the county.
““I would like to wish Ray and his backroom team well. There is a lot of interest and support for hurling in Mayo at present, and the emergence of several new adult hurling clubs in recent years augers well for the future,” he commented.
Mayo GAA hurling committee chairperson Sean Ó Raghallaigh said tremendous work is taking place in the clubs and in the county to promote hurling at present.
“Our senior hurling team is the flagship for all our club players and it is so important that Ray gets the full backing of all the hurling clubs and the Mayo GAA County Board. We now have 12 adult hurling teams in the county and all these players will get an opportunity to make the grade at senior inter-country level,” Mr. Ó Raghallaigh said.
Ray has retained the services of former Galway senior hurler Nigel Shaughnessy as head coach. The Loughrea native has coached senior hurling club sides Clarinbridge and Killimordaly in Galway and Na Piarsaigh in Limerick. Former Sligo senior hurling manager Pádraig Mannion is also staying onboard. The Galway native won back-to-back Allianz National Hurling League promotions with Sligo in 2020 and 2021. He also managed the Athleague senior hurling team to the Roscommon county hurling final in 2020.
TRIBUTES
Meanwhile, tributes have being paid to Brian Finn after he announced he was stepping back from his role as joint-manager of the Mayo senior hurlers.
Finn was appointed joint-manager of the Mayo senior hurlers with Ray Larkin last year and had a very successful stint at the helm, winning the Allianz Hurling League Division 3A final against Sligo earlier this year.
Mayo also reached the Nicky Rackard Cup final at Croke Park this year, only to be pipped at the finish when Donegal scored two late goals.
Mayo GAA County Board cathaoirleach Seamus Tuohy thanked Finn – who will remain as manager of the Mayo Under 20 hurlers – for his commitment to the cause, saying he was a true hurling man.
“Brian always wears his heart on his sleeve and his dedication and commitment to promoting hurling at club and county level in Mayo is noteworthy,” said Mr. Tuoht. “I want to thank Brian for his unwavering commitment to huring over many years. He is passionate about the game and he is a gentleman to work with.”
Mayo GAA hurling cathaoirleach Sean O’Raghallaigh also thanked Brian and wished him well.
He commented: “Brian always gives his best and his astute hurling mind will certainly be missed on the sideline. We are delighted that Brian is going to stay on as Mayo Under 20 hurling manager as there is a wonderful crop of very talented hurlers coming through at present, and Brian is the perfect person to inspire and encourage them into the future.”