Not Mayo GAA intention to cause offence with controversial statement
Mayo GAA vice-chairman Michael Diskin has expressed regret over the statement that many believed lacked class and disrespected the former Mayo management team when announcing that they were to be relieved of their roles in the aftermath of Mayo exiting the championship.
Diskin said that he wanted to “express clearly and unreservedly that it was never their intention to cause offence and the manner and tone of the communication didn’t carry respect to the former Mayo manager.”
Diskin continued: “His commitment to Mayo GAA was nothing more than exemplary."
Diskin commended McStay's leadership of the Mayo senior team and added that the management served the county with 'integrity and commitment at all times'.
He went on to wish them all well in health and in every new chapter ahead.
At a meeting of the county board, Mayo GAA secretary Ronan Kirrane outlined the process for appointing a new management team, stating that the next manager will not be chosen based on a PowerPoint.
Kirrane said there will be an expression of interest form to go out where potential candidates can get in touch with the secretary, then an application form will be completed by the potential next Mayo manager and following that there will be an interview process where those shortlisted will have to name their top three backroom staff members to the interview panel.
Kirrane noted that their change to the interview process is to allow potential managers to get involved in the selection process without having to go through clubs.
He said that feedback from previous appointments pointed to previous applicants saying it would be preferable for them to maintain discretion and to minimise leaks.
Mayo GAA hope to have a new management team in place by the second or third round of the club championship, with the secretary stating that the process will take five to six to maybe seven weeks to appoint a new manager.
In other management news, Tom Reilly and David Heaney have both stood down from their Under 17 role, as has Peadar Gardiner who spent two years as Under 20 manager.