JAMES HORAN WILL remain on as Mayo football manager next season, dismissing recent speculation about his future as “pure nonsense.”
Horan had a “very productive meeting” with the Mayo County Board this evening and confirmed that he will return to lead the county’s challenge for a first All-Ireland title in 63 years.
“Nothing has changed, the ambition of this squad is to win an All-Ireland and that is an ambition that drives us all,” he said.
Horan, who has won three Connacht titles in three seasons, managed Mayo to the All-Ireland final for the second year in a row.
But their one-point defeat against Dublin last month led to a wave of speculation that the Ballintubber native was prepared to walk away.
Horan will be faced with backroom changes next season following selector James Nallen’s decision to leave due to family and work commitments.
“It’ll be a real shame not to have James with us next year,” he said.
“He’s been an inspirational figure to the players and, having played 132 competitive games for Mayo, his experience was something we could always turn to. Replacing a real legend in Mayo football won’t be easy.”
Horan confirmed that he has already approached potential candidates to replace Nallen but said it is still too early to make any announcements.
Glad James is staying on. We dust ourselves down, keep the heads up and go again like we always do. I know Mayo has been a running joke for some over loosing all these finals but we are resilient and will reach the promised land.
Also James Nallen is a legend and owes Mayo football nothing…18 years involved with Mayo. Thanks James
“…a running joke for some…”
No Steve – for all. You are Ireland’s Chicago Cubs!
fair enough but the mayo county players are bigger men than you or me. That goes for every county player from Antrim to Waterford…..the commitment these guys but in for pride in their county is unreal. I wouldn’t class any county a joke….not even the few guys who play football for Kilkenny
As a dub im confident of defending our title. ..but the one team I fear beating us is mayo
Fair play to ya Steve, it must be so hard to keep bouncing back but somehow they keep doing it! Pure drive and commitment and I doubt anyone would begrudge them an AI medal (other than having to see Enda K plastered all over the papers with his gombeen smile)
Hopefully he’ll be out of office by then!!
Omg is leaving one direction
As a true blue I think that’s great news for Mayo but bad for the rest of us good luck mayo .
Fantastic news! Up Mayo!
Remember Horan’s performance on the sideline in the All Ireland Final was poor enough. Freeman taken off why? Aidan O’Shea left on too long… Same for McLoughlin and Dillon. No clear plan for dealing with Cluxtons kick outs…. Unlike Cork. The loss wasn’t exactly down to Dublin’s brilliance.
And the road to croker begins again!! Hon Mayo!!
Hopefully it’s third time lucky…. think everyone now would like to see Mayo lift Sam
Keep it goin mayo and ye will win sam
Not this old chestnut again, have we to listen to all the Mayo crap about how they’re going to” lift Sam this year “… jaysus we’ve been listening to that bullshit for the last 62 years * yawn * lol..UP THE DUBS!!!
Gracious winner eh you a***hole
heh heh heh you mad over something?? LOL!
Shay it’s you and your like that the whole country is against us come summer.
Who gives a f**k! It’s never been any other way, and never going to change, no one outside Dublin likes the Dubs so grow a pair because these mayo muppets are fast on the bandwagon to have a go at the Dubs the odd chance they get..
Idiot
Are you mad at something too?? lol
I’m a mayo man and in 2011 I was cheering Dublin on in the final
You better hope your not waiting another 62 years for Sam
Yeh me too, I can see how bitter it makes losers..Thumb this down bitter people, lol.
You seem very bitter what’s wrong with ya do you live mayo or something?
carlow will lift sam before mayo do!
I was thinking more like Leitrim will :)
London could be in with a shout too, LMAO!
If you’re a sore loser from Mayo please thumb this comment down, or thumb up for the Dubs!
Jesus you’re sad
Im a dub and I thumbed ye down
What’s wrong can’t make up your mind to thumb up or thumb down lol.
Well you should have went to specsavers before you thumbed anything lol
Oh Shay …..Brendan o’carroll is shaking in his boots with your hilarious wit
You should have listened at school – should have gone NOT should have went!
Ah stop I’m blushing now…Is he really?
Ah thanks for the free education lesson, you really put me in my place there..
Swear to God Shay ….go easy will ya….he thinks ur trying to steal away some attention
Is it big of a man to be gracious in defeat or in victory shay? You wouldn’t what’s around the corner
It’s big of a man to be victorious in victory, and tough for the losers to take…
“Big” man eh Shay ……I’m sensing a little insecurity …it’s good to talk about it though …we are all listening
Get a hobby Shay
Mayo lost 2 finals in a row in 48 and 49 before winning it in 50 and 51.
It’s fecking amazing that one of my childhood heros lived 5 minutes down the road from me and would often be seen popping into Hiney’s Crossmolina, the true beauty of the GAA. Enjoy retirement Jimmy, you had a certain toddler believing in magic with your goal in 96 against the Kingdom.
Onwards and upwards for us, there’s an AI medal in that squad yet, Mayo for Sam!
Mayo for ham!
Shay as Mayo man l left Hill 16 this year after the final whistle absolutely gutted. We lost another one and its hard to pick yourself up for another year even though Mayo supporters feel like the biggest bridesmaids ever. But we will get to the promised land in the next few years. That l am sure of.
However your juvenile comments are a little harsh to say the least. It reminds me of the crack heads outside Hill 16 jeering me (l think there is/was a methadone clinic in the handball alley across the road) and a few other dozen drunken gobsh**** taunting me as l walked up Jones road. They made my blood boil. Those guys and you don’t belong anywhere near Dublin GAA. Maybe you should support a soccer team if ye want that instead. True Dub fans and Dubs in general are salt of the earth people. As a Mayo man l would genuinely like Dublin GAA to do well because they play great football. You are a disgrace to your county. If l was a Dub GAA fan l’d disown you.
Ah stfu you clown! I posted a comment and the sore losers like you couldn’t handle it..I could probably guess I’ve been at more GAA matches than you have had hot dinners over the years, and took slagging and gave slagging down the years,and when my turn comes to dish it out, I’ll dish it out with gravy on…Ah nice throw in of the ” crack heads, methadone clinic and drunken gobsh**** there, same old guff out of sore losers, first thing they can come up about Dublin is the drug response, how sad are you? and anybody who had there blood boiling after a game it’s because they’re a sore loser, so suck it up you clown and dust yourself down and get on with it, muppet!
A lotta pressure on a no. 2 !!!!!!!
looks like a big annoncement on the way for No.2 – a fermanagh man I believe
Rory Gallagher I assume you are referring too was announced as Donegal u-21 Manager earlier this week.
Corrigan and mcginity are in for the fermanagh post (again), gallagher is in donegal, not many left to consider after..
Mayo need to do a few things differently in 2014, otherwise the result will be the same as it was in 2013 and 2012. Kerry to be stronger next year so outside of Dublin i fancy Kerry.
Up The Dubs