IT SEEMED INEVITABLE, but Mayo’s footballers are on the lookout for a new manager after the joint management team of Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly stepped down this evening.
It emerged this week that the Mayo senior squad had tabled a vote of no confidence in the management duo, following their defeat in the All-Ireland semi-final replay against Dublin.
And it has been confirmed by the Mayo County Board this evening that the pair have resigned from their positions, just one year into a three-year term.
Holmes and Connelly announced their decision to resign in a statement to the Mayo County Board Executive this evening.
“We are passionate about Mayo Football and it is deeply disappointing not to complete our project. By resigning we wish to remove any obstacle that the players might perceive as preventing them from winning the All-Ireland,” they said.
Despite events of the last week, the pair also went on to thank the players, as well as the county board for giving them the opportunity to lead the county.
“We would like to thank the back-room team for their superb effort and commitment. We wish to thank the Mayo County Board for their support and for all the funding and resources they provided for the team. We would like to thank the players for all their efforts during 2015. We would also like to thank the people of Mayo for the huge support and messages of goodwill throughout the year and in the last week.
“Mhaigh Éo Abú.”
The board’s statement also thanked the pair for their commitment during the season in charge as well as praising them for their handling of the situation in the last week.
“Members of the Executive then spoke where the joint Managers of Noel Connelly & Pat Holmes along with their backroom team were sincerely thanked and praised for their dedication, commitment and hard work over the last year where it was also noted the very difficult last few days that they experienced along with their families.
“Noel & Pat are both decorated footballers and managers and owe nothing to Mayo Football and both along with their families are wished all the very best in the future whatever that may hold.”
No better man to be leading Leinster into battle.
@Trevor Dunne: agree 100% , and to think it was him who convinced Joe Schmidt to look at coming to Leinster
@Limón Madrugada: I think he first convinced Leinster that he was the best coach and then convinced him to come (with a couple of mates). All his contributions to Leinster, because of 2 minutes of rugby. Thank you Fiji!
@Trevor Dunne: I really hope he sticks around on the coaching staff when the finishes playing, he’s such a brilliant asset to have