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Mayo players threatened to strike in 2015 if Holmes and Connelly were not removed

Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly have spilled the beans on their year in charge of Mayo.

PAT HOLMES AND Noel Connelly have aired their grievances about the player revolt that ousted them as joint Mayo managers in 2015.

It’s the first time they have spoken publically about their removal 14 months ago, which occured shortly after Mayo lost to eventual champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final replay.

Speaking with the Irish Independent’s Martin Breheny today, the duo made a number of remarkable claims about their time in charge of their native county.

Holmes and Connelly pointed the finger at a “small number” of influential players within the Mayo squad, who were instrumental in removing the 2015 management team.

“If some egos aren’t checked and outside influences curbed, the problems will continue,” said Holmes.

“In time, memories of the trips abroad and all the other perks will fade and it won’t matter how many Twitter followers you had during your playing days. The only question that counts for players on top teams is: have you All-Ireland medals? As of now, no Mayo player since 1951 can asnwer ‘yes’ to that.

“If a small group within the squad are allowed to dictate the way they tried when we were there, it’s not good for Mayo football.  If that situation is still there, the likelihood is that they will win nothing. That’s the bottom line as we see it.”

Breheny’s 5,000 word piece also details the letter the Mayo players sent to the county board, demanding the removal of Holmes and Connelly with a threat of strike action if it was not met.

The squad also insisted on having a “number of player representatives on the selection committee” to appoint the new manager.

A number of clashes between players and the management were highlighted, including a disagreement with Aidan O’Shea over a proposed appearance in The Toughest Trade, Alan Dillon questioning the logic of why Andy Moran was starting ahead of him, and Seamus O’Shea requesting that Rob Hennelly start ahead of David Clarke “as he preferred Hennelly’s kickouts.”

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    Mute Danny Mike Hennessy
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 7:37 PM

    And Iam one of them.. from Aherlow to Madrid Harps!!

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    Mute Felicia Spells
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 9:58 PM

    That’s the legacy of Fianna Fáil and you still will get idiots that will vote for them

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    Mute Steve M
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 9:59 PM

    Colm Keaveny says they have changed….surly he couldn’t be wrong

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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:21 PM

    Of course they will, because their TD’s great-grand-uncle 14 times’ removed handed DeV a glass of water in Boland’s Mill when he asked for a drink. Ironic really seeing as we replaced one monarchy with another…

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    Mute Fong Wannapho
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:27 PM

    Green Thumb.

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    Mute joe o'reilly
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 11:14 PM

    It’s sad to hear but money pays the bills not playing GAA.

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    Mute Plucky Duck
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    Dec 4th 2013, 11:59 AM

    If these guys played for Dublin there would be alot more help available to them…. Anyone else… On your bike lads…!

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 9:57 PM

    Sad sign of the times. Our club were county champions 2 years ago, of the 30 on the panel 16 have left as no work in the area and 14 of those have left the country.

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    Mute Lad
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:02 PM

    What? What club is that

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    Mute Kevin Beakey
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 8:24 PM

    Ahhhhhhhh come on…….
    any of the 600 gone wouldn’t have stopped Clare winning the all Ireland this year….

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    Mute Tomás Tiernan
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 9:17 PM

    Ridiculous statement!

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    Mute Paul White
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    Dec 4th 2013, 10:12 AM

    Clare ha..one back door all ireland in near twenty year and cocky all ready eh. Not even munster champs…roll on next year.

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    Mute Kevin Beakey
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    Dec 4th 2013, 10:18 AM

    Yea can’t wait back to back all Irelands

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    Mute Dave Dson
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:33 PM

    Incredible that they only went to U.K. ,U.S. and Australia. 100%.
    It was a very narrow-minded group of people.

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:41 PM

    And where did you go to Dave? North Korea? Iraq? Afghanistan?

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:50 PM

    Spoddgy you left out Limerick

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    Mute Dave Dson
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:58 PM

    I am in Budapest. 8 years. Why?
    They may end up joining their armies and end up in Iraq and Afghanistan anyway.
    Why not got to Canada, Germany, New Zealand, The EUA or anywhere in Scandinavia? They all speak English if that is their problem.

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    Mute Padraig Culbert
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    Dec 4th 2013, 11:28 AM

    Listen? Hear it? That’s the yawning sound of ignorance. Mark it well because it is often disguised as informed opinion.

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    Mute Niall H
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 9:54 PM

    600 new club members in Dublin gaa?!

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    Mute W.j.d.
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 11:02 PM

    Ever hear a tipp man speaking English …. Ha ha ha here comes the red thumbs…

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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
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    Dec 4th 2013, 2:11 AM

    Anyone who has been to Tipperary will know that emigration is better than a life stuck there, coming from someone who lives here and will be leaving soon.

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    Mute Sean Lawlor
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    Dec 4th 2013, 1:06 PM

    You will be a major loss… Hope the rest of us can manage without you in the premier county!

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    Mute Richard O'Gorman
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:00 PM

    No worries, plenty have arrived to take their places.

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    Mute Reg Holdsworth
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    Dec 4th 2013, 2:02 AM

    Ya mary, more like a spent force!

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    Mute Mary Walshe
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 11:52 PM

    Kilkenny on the way back, in force !

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    Mute Conor O Callaghan
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    Dec 4th 2013, 8:02 AM

    The Tipp crowd are no good

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    Mute Elvio Verdi
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    Dec 4th 2013, 7:58 PM

    GOOD.

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    Mute Brian Hurley
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    Dec 4th 2013, 5:44 PM

    Is that all? Lucky they still have 500+ Most counties would be lucky to have 50

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