Horan convinced new coach McDonald can make big Mayo impact
Mayo manager James Horan has expressed his satisfaction that former star Ciaran McDonald is part of his backroom team.
McDonald will act as a coach and selector for Mayo, who were defeated by Galway following a penalty shootout in the Connacht FBD League at Elverys MacHale Park yesterday
Horan is convinced the Crossmolina Deel Rovers clubman can make a significant impact with Mayo in his new role.
He told GAA.ie: "Ciaran was a smart footballer, he understands football and he is a very good coach, he is working with a lot of the guys on various bits and pieces so we are delighted to have him in.
"He’s coaching with James Burke, the two of them are doing the majority of the sessions so it is working well."
Horan also spoke about the return of Tom Parsons.
He said: "Tom is back and he is building and improving. It’s the first full game he has played so he has work to do, but it was good to see him back.
"He has been fantastic, but he doesn’t want to talk about that any more he wants to talk about his performances and how he has played so he has moved on, but of course it was great to see him."
Mayo face Donegal in the Allianz Football League on January 25 with Horan excited about that upcoming encounter.
"The game against Galway was a chance for some guys who have been knocking around for a while and for some new guys to play an inter-county game.
"Some of them did very well so we are excited about that. We have guys coming back and quite a few injuries, not serious injuries just guys trying to get right.
"That will come together very quickly, we are going up to Donegal. It is going to be a brilliant game for us. It will be an exciting one. We had a clash last year and we are looking forward to going up there for a good game.
"I thought some of the new guys were exceptional, Padraig O'Hora, Jordan Flynn, and Brian Walsh, in particular, were very good.
"I was very happy with elements of it, I would have liked a result as well, but it is not everything at this stage."