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Lorraine O'Sullivan/INPHO
GAA

Confirmed - Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes set for Mayo senior football job

Connelly and Holmes form the managerial ticket which will replace outgoing boss James Horan

Updated 21.30

NOEL CONNELLY IS set to be appointed as the Mayo senior football manager as part of a managerial ticket alongside Pat Holmes.

TheScore.ie reported on Saturday afternoon that Connelly and Holmes will step into the role vacated by James Horan in the aftermath of the defeat to Kerry last month.

Connelly and the early favourite for the position, Kevin McStay, were both interviewed, but the former was chosen as the man to take charge of the Connacht champions at an executive meeting of the county board.

It is also understood that Mayo coach Donie Buckley will be part of Connelly’s backroom team for the coming season.

A statement issued by the Mayo County Board on Saturday evening read:

Today, Saturday 20th September 2014, the Mayo Senior Football Team Interview Committee met with the Executive of the Mayo County Board where they gave the recommendation that Noel Connelly & Pat Holmes be put forward for the position as Senior Football Team Manager.

The other candidate in the process, Kevin McStay, was this afternoon informed of this intention. Mr McStay, while very disappointed, stated he was happy with the board’s decision and wished Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes the very best with their future endeavours.

The Mayo G.A.A. County Board would like to thank most sincerely Kevin McStay for his time in this process and we wish him the very best in the future.

There will be no further comment until the new Management team has been put in place.​

Connelly and former Castlebar Mitchells boss Holmes led the county’s U21s to All-Ireland glory in 2006. That side included current senior players Keith Higgins, Ger Cafferkey, Chris Barrett, Colm Boyle, Tom Cunniffe, Seamus O’Shea and Barry Moran.

Holmes, who stood down as Mitchells manager following their All-Ireland club final defeat to St. Vincent’s earlier this year, previously managed Mayo seniors between 1999 and 2002.

Connelly is currently in charge of Hollymount/Carramore, who are playing against Belmullent in the Mayo intermediate semi-final today. He has also been involved with Mayo underage squads in the past.

– Originally published 15.37

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