Latest news with #MayoGAA
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We air our dirty laundry' – RTE pundit doesn't pull any punches in cutting verdict of Mayo GAA county board
MAYO legend Lee Keegan has slammed the Mayo GAA county board for multiple decisions and actions. The five-time All-Star has vented his frustrations about the many issues within the Advertisement 2 Mayo failed to advance from the group stages of this year's championship 2 Keegan was very disappointed in Mayo GAA's statement when 'relieving' Kevin McStay of his duties at the time Credit: @talksportireland The Green and Red county failed to reach the knockout stages of this year's Championship after a Kevin Keegan has suggested that underlying issues within the county board have more to do with Mayo's lack of success than McStay. The Westport man said: "There's trust and loyalty issues. There's too much talking. The expectation for me is too much. Advertisement Read more on GAA "This is the problem like you know, we sometimes as players we get ridiculed and obviously we didn't get over the All-Ireland stuff but listen that's our fault I take that. "We are the only county I feel anyway that we air all our dirty laundry to everybody for good or bad. Like I mean from the the simplest stuff to the outrageous stuff, everything just gets out." Keegan also feels the expectation put on the current crop of Mayo players is far too high and needs to be more realistic after recent struggles in the All-Ireland series. Since Mayo's All-Ireland final loss to Tyrone in 2021, the Westerners have failed to pass the quarter-final stages of the Championship. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Comment It was a stark demise for Mayo who suffered a Connacht quarter-final defeat to Galway in 2022, before being knocked out by Kerry at the same stage in the All-Ireland series. The following year brought another Connacht quarter-final exit, this time at the hands of Roscommon. A preliminary quarter-final win against provincial rivals Galway saw them reach the quarters yet again but a rampant Dublin team beat them by 12 points. David Clifford's son adorably hijacks RTE interview after dad dominates All-Ireland final A preliminary quarter-final The seven time Connacht champion added: "We probably get talked about more than most. We were in the conversation for the quarter-finals this year when we shouldn't have. Advertisement "I think in Mayo sometimes the expectation is way too high. I think we need to.. not lower, I mean you obviously want to win the big ones and stuff. "We haven't won a Connacht medal in a few years now, we won a league and got to a league final. That doesn't cut it. We need to win provincials, like Galway have won four-in-a-row. "That needs to be a realistic expectation, we are on about All-Irelands for the last few years. MCSTAY SYMPATHY Keegan also felt former Mayo manager Kevin McStay - who had to temporarily step away from the role due to health reasons - was hard done by by the Mayo GAA county board. Advertisement The RTÉ pundit sympatised: "I've felt really sorry for Kevin in particular. "We lost a lot of big figureheads of that group that didn't get over the line (2021), we went very close. It's very unfair to ask the same of the group that's in there now "I felt sorry for Kevin at times, I think his writing was on the wall this year because he didn't win the provincial. "Kevin is a great football man and a very proud Mayo man I thought it was really handled badly." Advertisement With the poor treatment of McStay and previous Mayo managers, Keegan has issued a warning to anyone thinking of taking up the vacant role. "I think whoever is going to go in there is going to have a tough job. That's just being straight up with you. And I wish them the best because they are going to be working with tough people. "They need to be given time to integrate as well, I think this whole thing about All-Irelands needs to be cut for now and start working on the short term and see where that brings us."
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Man admits ‘sinister' harassment of couple following death of Mayo fan
Brendan Rowland admitted sending Peter and Anne Byrne cards signed from 'Joe' on several occasions A friend of tragic Mayo GAA fan Joe Deacy has pleaded guilty to harassing the owners of the house where the UK national was found unconscious before his death in 2017. Mr Deacy (21), of St Albans, England, was found unresponsive in the driveway of the home of Peter and Anne Byrne at Gortnasillagh, Swinford, Co Mayo, at 6.45am on August 12, 2017. Brendan Rowland (30), who is originally from Ballycroy, Co Mayo, but has been living in the UK for over a decade, admitted his part in a broader 'sinister' and 'orchestrated' harassment campaign of Peter and Anne Byrne. Castlebar Circuit Court heard that between December 2018 and December 2019, the couple received 40 cards to their home signed from 'Joe' on occasions including their birthdays, wedding anniversary, Mother's Day and Christmas. The court heard that on the couple's wedding anniversary they received a single black rose with a message '29 years, I didn't get that long', signed 'from Joe'. Mr Rowland was found to only be linked to 12 cards sent to the Byrnes. Patrick Reynolds BL, for the DPP, outlined to Judge Eoin Garavan the background to the case. Mr Reynolds said Joe Deacy was 'found in an unconscious state' in the driveway of the Byrnes' home when he was a guest and friend of their son, Conor, on August 12, 2017. Mr Deacy was brought to Mayo University Hospital and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, but died the following day. According to a post-mortem examination, the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. In December 2018, the Byrnes began to receive cards with sinister messages, and this continued for a period of almost 13 months. Mr Reynolds said 26 cards were signed from 'Joe' or 'Joseph' and referenced the 'conscience' of persons. Mayo fan Joe Deacy died in August 2017 A garda investigation traced some stamps to a post office in Ballycroy, and CCTV identified Brendan Rowland's mother as the person who bought them. Mr Rowland was subsequently arrested and interviewed, and made admissions in relation to some cards received by the Byrnes. The court heard he asked his mother to post them. However, she opened and read one card and refused to post those in her possession. Mr Reynolds told the court that the cards subject to the charges contained handwritten messages including: 'To the wholly honest Byrnes, everyone knows the truth. I hope this Christmas brings truth not cowardice.' Ms Byrne broke down in tears several times as she read her victim impact statement. She said her family had been 'persecuted by false information in the media and on social media', which led to a toxic hate campaign against her family. Describing the cards as 'poisonous', Ms Byrne said she received them on Mother's Day and her birthday. She said that as a cancer survivor it was 'repugnant' to her that some of the cards were sourced from a cancer charity. Mrs Byrne said she and her family 'did nothing wrong', and did everything they could to help Mr Deacy. 'Joe was a lovely young man and we welcomed him into our home,' she said. She said she had 'great sympathy' for his family and added: 'We also grieve for Joe.' Ms Byrne ended her statement by appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Mr Byrne, a vet with the Department of Agriculture, said the cards left him and his wife in 'great fear'. He said one card read: 'Hope you have a killer Christmas.' Brendan Rowland leaves Castlebar District Court. Photo: Oisín McGovern Mr Byrne said the experience left him feeling he had 'come in contact with a kind of evil I had never experienced in my life'. He said he was asleep in bed when he was alerted to Mr Deacy's unconscious state, and immediately called an ambulance before he began CPR. Mr Byrne said he also called the gardaí before the ambulance left, and then went directly to Mr Deacy's cousin's house to alert him. He said he and his family then left their home, giving gardaí full access to examine it and the surrounding property. 'I don't know what else we could have done,' he said. 'Brendan Rowland doesn't know me,' he said but still subjected him 'to a personal campaign of hatred'. 'We did nothing wrong,' he added. Mr Byrne said 'Joe Deacy was a lovely young man,' and appealed for 'anyone who has information as to what happened to Joe, please come forward,' he said. Defence counsel Laura Byrne BL said her client was 'ashamed and wants to offer an apology'. The defence counsel said Mr Deacy was supposed to stay with her client on the night he was injured, and his death 'engulfed' Rowland's life. Judge Garavan said the circumstances of the case were 'extremely difficult' and much is unresolved almost eight years after the tragedy. Describing Mr Rowland's actions as 'sinister' and 'criminal', Judge Garavan said he would finalise sentencing in October.
The 42
4 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Former Mayo star Oisín Mullin commits future to Geelong Cats
OISÍN MULLIN HAS committed his future to Geelong Cats by agreeing a contract extension until the end of the 2027 AFL season. The former Mayo GAA star has been with the Victoria club since switching codes in 2021. A former All Star and Young Player of the Year, Mullin has gradually established himself as a key figure across half back and midfield. The 25-year-old has played 18 games so far this season and executive general manager Andrew Mackie praised Mullin for how he has adapted to life and the demands Down Under. Advertisement 'Oisín has shown enormous growth in a short space of time and continues to impress us with his work ethic and willingness to learn,' Mackie said. 'As with all our Irish players, we understand the enormity of the decision to move to Australia, we love having Oisín as part of our program and we can't wait to see him play an important role for us over the next two years and beyond.'
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Mayo GAA offer ‘heartfelt' apology to Kevin McStay over widely criticised county board statement
MAYO GAA have apologised to former manager Kevin McStay for the county board statement issued 'relieving' him of his duties. The statement - which was released nearly two weeks ago - has received heavy backlash from the GAA community. Advertisement 2 The former Mayo manager had been in the role for three seasons 2 McStay played for Mayo between 1983 and 1990 winning two Connacht titles It has been labelled as In a meeting between the Executive and Mayo club representatives, Vice Chairperson Michael Diskin issued an apology on behalf of Mayo GAA. Per 'The manner and tone of the original communication didn't adequately reflect the deep respect and appreciation we hold for Kevin. Advertisement Read More On GAA 'For this, we offer our heartfelt apologies.' The Ballina native took the role in 2023 and won the NFL Division 1 title in his first year at the helm. However there was a lack of Championship success during his tenure, as The 63-year-old had to step aside from his role as manager due to health reasons following a medical incident which occurred during a training session. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Stephen Rochford took charge of the Westerners just a week before their shock Despite the statement win, Mayo failed to progress to the knockout stages as they fell to a RTE pundits weigh in on scoreboard controversy that marred Tipperary's dramatic win over Kilkenny Just 10 days after the Maritime counties championship exit, Mayo GAA released the controversial statement regarding McStay's future. Advertisement 'We would like to sincerely thank Kevin and his management team for their time, effort, and commitment to the Mayo Senior Football Team during their tenure. "Their dedication to the players and the jersey has been greatly appreciated by all involved with Mayo GAA. 'We wish Kevin and his management team every success in the future, both on and off the field. 'An update regarding the future management of the Senior Football Team will be provided in due course.' Advertisement Kevin McStay also served as a player for Mayo in the 80s. The 1985 All-star won two Connacht titles with the Westerners. The former Army officer was an Under-21 All-Ireland winner and was also apart of the 1989 Mayo team who lost out to Cork in the All-Ireland final.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mayo GAA apology to Kevin McStay as big name rules himself out of race
Mayo GAA inter-county football teams now have four managerial vacancies to fill after the resignations of their under-20 and minor bosses. The news came after James Horan ruled himself out of a third stint as senior boss in the wake of Kevin McStay's departure. Mayo GAA vice chairman, Michael Diskin last night apologised for the wording of the official statement, which confirmed McStay's services were no longer required and said it was never the intention to cause offence. He said: 'The manner and tone of the original communication didn't adequately reflect the deep respect and appreciation we hold for Kevin. For this, we offer our heartfelt apologies.' The County Board went on to describe McStay's leadership as 'nothing short of exemplary', and wished both him and the extended management team "the very best for the future.' The manner and tone of the original statement annoyed many in Mayo GAA and beyond. It stated that at a Mayo GAA meeting a 'decision was made to relieve Kevin McStay and his management team from their roles with the Mayo senior football team with immediate effect." It added: 'We would like to sincerely thank Kevin and his management team for their time, effort, and commitment to the Mayo senior football team during their tenure. 'Their dedication to the players and the jersey has been greatly appreciated by all involved with Mayo GAA. 'We wish Kevin and his management team every success in the future, both on and off the field.' Mayo chiefs are facing a busy few weeks as they set an August target to appoint McStay's successor. McStay's former right hand man, Liam McHale has stepped down as Mayo ladies manager after last weekend's relegation play-off victory over Leitrim, which secured the county's senior championship status for 2026. And Mayo Under-20 football manager Peadar Gardiner has also stepped aside after leading the county to the Connacht title in his second year of a two year term. It was Mayo's first provincial title at this grade since 2018. Gardiner had previously served three years alongside manager Maurice Sheridan, taking his time with the Mayo under-20s to five seasons. Mayo lost out narrowly to Louth in the All-Ireland semi-final. Keith Higgins, Ger Cafferkey and Mark Ryan were all in Gardiner's backroom team. Mayo Chairman Seamus Tuohy said: 'I would like to thank Peader and his backroom team for their work developing these players, many of whom have gone on to make the Mayo GAA senior football team and panel,' And Mayo minor joint managers David Heaney - an All-Ireland finalists with the county - and Tom Reilly have also called it a day The duo had completed a two year term alongside Pat Clarke, Diarmuid Byrne, and Brian Kilkelly as part of their backroom setup with Ciaran McDonald also involved in a coaching capacity in year one. Mayo minors were defeated in the Connacht Final this year by Roscommon but bounced back to reach the All-Ireland semi-final, losing to Kerry by three points. Mayo GAA Chairperson Seamus Tuohy said: 'I want to sincerely thank David and Tom and their entire backroom team for the positive impact they've had on so many young GAA players in the county. 'I have no doubt their coaching influence over the past two years will continue to benefit these young players with their clubs in the months ahead.'
