James Horan confirms young star's commitment to Mayo amid AFL speculation
by Caoimhin Rowland
There was positive news for Mayo GAA fans today as manager James Horan has reaffirmed All-Star Young Player of the Year Oisín Mullin's commitment to the green and red cause.
The Mayo manager's proclamation comes amid mounting speculation over the Kilmaine ace's future with several AFL clubs rumoured to be interested in acquiring his services in recent times.
This came with news of an agreement between the GAA and AFL clubs to allow two category B Irish international rookies open to recruitment instead of one.
The pact increased anxiety over the full-backs future for the county, but Horan looked to quash those rumours with an admission that “there will always be noise around certain players."
The Mayo manager was speaking to the Saturday Sport Show on CRCfm earlier today and was asked about Mullin's future.
Horan stated: “Oisín had a brilliant year for us, is a very exciting prospect for us for sure and will only get better with the mindset and attitude that he has.
"He’s fully focused at the minute on Mayo GAA, where he can go and how he can develop.
"At the moment Oisín is fully committed. He had a strong year and there’s plenty more to come from him.”
The news will be received with a sigh of relief from the Mayo faithful after speculation grew amongst fans in the aftermath of the 20-year-old's break-out year.
2020 was a season in which Mullin adapted to senior inter-county football with apparent ease, picking up an All-Star in his debut season, while also helping his club side Kilmaine to the Pete McDonnell Cup as Mayo JFC champions.
Horan also spoke about the role Ciaran McDonald plays within their inter-county set-up, stating: “He’s probably a better coach than a player” and how Conor Loftus’s club form with Crossmolina in the intermediate championship dictated his transition to midfield for Mayo.
Horan welcomed the planned resurfacing and lengthening of MacHale Park in Castlebar later this year.
He said the current surface is "slow" and did not lend itself to his team's style - as evidences in Mayo's poor results at the venue in recent years.
Since the start of 2010, Mayo have won just 25 of their 50 League and Championship games.
"The quality of the pitch is not good. I think any of the players who have played there and in other county grounds will say exactly that.
"A bigger pitch will allow us express some of the skills we have. That's what we're looking for. I'm very supportive of developing MacHale Park."
You can hear the full interview here - https://anchor.fm/crcfm/episodes/James-Horan---Mayo-Manager-on-Retirees--Oisn-Mullin-and-the-Need-for-a-New-Surface-for-MacHale-Park-et3ht5