Andy Moran ratified as Mayo senior football team manager
Mayo GAA club delegates have ratified Andy Moran as the new senior football team manager, writes Patrick Hennelly.
At a meeting of the Mayo GAA County Board, held at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, it was announced that Moran and his backroom team have been given a three-year term.
The members of the backroom team are Paddy Nally (head coach) and Colm Boyle (coach/selector), and it is expected that more appointments will be added over the coming days and weeks.
At a press conference following the meeting, Moran explained that he started thinking about management back in 2014.
“When you are playing you are not dreaming of managing the team, but there was a realisation for me when I got those blocks of injuries between 2012 and 2014 that this mightn’t last too long,” he said.
“That was when the coaching journey started and I did a bit of work with St. Nathy’s and with the club, so it kind of took off from there.
“I had a good appetite for coaching, and you are obviously trying to learn. I remember when James Horan came back as manager in 2019 that I was looking and observing and trying to learn more about what was going on. That was the first time that I thought this (coaching) is really something that I want to do.”
Andy also said that the door is open to any players who opted out of the Mayo panel last season.
“For us it is (a case of) can we get the best 36 players in the county on the panel and getting the best team out there. If a player is 18 or 32 or 33, it shouldn’t matter with regards to getting the best players playing for Mayo. We will be looking at the older players who opted out and those conversations will take place, and some conversations have already happened.
“One of the key things for us is looking at the younger guys coming through and how are we going to get them into the squad and playing for Mayo. I think some of these younger players are good enough to play.”
What style of play can Mayo supporters expect to see from the team next year?
“I knew this question was coming up, and anyone who watched me manage Leitrim or my influence on Monaghan will be able to see the style of football that we want to play, without giving too much away.
“Every team has their own personality. We (Mayo) run with the ball and we have flying wing-backs. Some of our best players ever were in the wing-back line, such as Keith Higgins, Colm Boyle, Noel Connelly and James Nallen.
“The key for me, Colm and Paddy is that we maximise that style of football and we don’t change it and try to make the best out of how we play.”
HONOURED
Moran further outlined to www.mayogaatv.com: “I am honoured to be appointed as the next Mayo senior football team manager. This is a proud moment for me, my family, and my club Ballaghaderreen, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this team.
“Together with my management team, I will work with dedication to provide the right environment, supports, and structures to help our players perform to the best of their ability.
“We are committed to building on the strong foundations laid by previous management teams, and we look forward to working closely with the players, the backroom team, the county board and our loyal supporters as we prepare for 2026 and beyond.”
Welcoming the appointment, the cathaoirleach of the Mayo GAA County Board, Seamus Tuohy, said Andy has the full support and backing of the board and all the GAA clubs in the county.
He added: “I want to wish Andy and his backroom team well and assure them they have the support of all Mayo GAA supporters at home and abroad.”