Higgins appointed Mayo Under 20 boss as 'dream team' by-passed
Aiden Henry
Former Mayo dual star Keith Higgins has been appointed manager of the Mayo Under 20 football squad, The Connaught Telegraph has learned.
The decision taken by the Mayo GAA executive was ratified at tonight's county board meeting in Castlebar.
In reaching their decision, the executive, on the recommendation of the interview board, has opted against appointing the 'dream' management team headed by two former Mayo senior football managers, John Maughan and Pat Holmes.
This will be viewed in many GAA quarters as controversial.
Former Mayo and Ballina Stephenites ace David Brady has also lost out.
Higgins, widely regarded as one of Mayo's most accomplished defenders ever, will take over from Peadar Gardiner, who stepped down from the role in July.
This will be his first venture into inter-county management and he will work closely with senior team manager Andy Moran.
The four-time GAA All-Star will have former Mayo stars Kevin McLoughlin and David Drake along with Kilmeena’s Mark Ryan as his selectors.
Higgins made his inter-county football debut in 2003 and played until 2021.
He won eight Connacht GAA titles, an Allianz National Football League title with Mayo in 2019, and was voted Young Footballer of the Year in 2006.
He also captained both the Mayo Under 21 football and hurling teams to All-Ireland championships.
He has won 13 Mayo GAA county hurling titles with Ballyhaunis GAA and represented Mayo GAA at senior level in both codes.
In 2014 he became the first Connacht player to win both football and hurling Railway Cup medals in the same year.
He was revealed as Mayo GAA senior hurling team captain in May 2021.
The chairman of Mayo GAA County Board, Seamus Tuohy, commented: “Keith Higgins was an outstanding dual player for Mayo and I would like to wish him and his backroom team well in the weeks and months ahead. Keith was one of the finest defenders of his generation and I know he will bring all that expertise, determination and commitment to his new role."
Higgins played in seven All-Ireland football finals and also won a Sigerson Cup title with Sligo IT in 2005.
He holds two All-Ireland Nicky Rackard hurling titles from 2016 and 2021, and was chosen as Nicky Rackard Hurler of the Year in 2021. He was also a Christy Ring All-Star in 2008.
Keith continues to line out for both the Ballyhaunis GAA senior footballers and hurlers in the Mayo GAA senior championships.