MAYO LEGEND CIARAN McDonald has undertaken a role in the county senior footballers’ coaching team, manager James Horan has confirmed.
Mayo GAA released a statement this afternoon announcing the appointment of their newest coach with immediate effect.
McDonald lined out for the Green and Red for 14 years between 1994 and 2008, and starred in the forward line. The 44-year-old enjoyed a successful career with his club, Crossmolina Deel Rovers, with an All-Ireland title coming on that front in 2001.
Having been involved with the Mayo GAA academy teams for the last number of years, 2004 All-Star McDonald’s role will now be to work closely with James Burke in a coaching capacity as he supports the development of players on the field.
“I am really delighted to welcome Ciaran into the Support Team of Mayo GAA,” Horan said. “He brings a wealth of experience, vision and skill to our coaching set up and this will also fit in very well with the development phase we are currently in with this senior squad.
11 years on from his last senior appearance for Mayo, Ciaran is still being acknowledged nationally as one of the finest exponents of the modern era. He is also a player’s player – someone who made his own opportunities on the field of play, creating some outstanding moments and demonstrating great flair, fitness, endurance and individual talent.
“I know he will bring all that innate ability and commitment to this present squad. It will be a welcomed and a valued addition to the excellent team of committed people that are already driving this team forward and achieving great things.”
“We have a clear vision for the Mayo team – to develop and grow as a squad, one that is relentlessness in its ambition to perform at the highest level, and that takes individual and collective responsibility on and off the pitch to get us to our goal,” he added.
🚨 Breaking News - Mayo GAA County Board & James Horan welcome the appointment of Ciaran McDonald to Mayo Senior Coaching Team.
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) December 8, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/IUvEfMabPW
“Ciaran embodies very many of those qualities and principles. Our players will benefit enormously from his insights and presence and I view this as a hugely positive development for Mayo GAA particularly as we look towards 2020 and the upcoming National League and Championship.”
McDonald himself added that it is a great honour to join the set-up.
“I am really delighted to have been invited by James to join his back-room team,” he said. “I really admire the work being done behind the scenes and the highly professional way in which James is moving it forward.
“I am excited about both the approach and potential of these talented players over the coming years. We saw some great new young players coming onto the field this year and there is a good pipeline of talent coming through thanks to the good work being done at underage and academy level throughout the county.
“I hope to add to that and will assist in every way I can. I’m really relishing the opportunity to be back involved with the Mayo Senior Football team once again.”
The management team and squad officially recommenced training for the 2020 season on 1 December at Elvery’s MacHale Park.
In their 2020 Division 1 league opener, holders Mayo face Donegal in Ballybofey on Saturday, 25 January.
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I reckon they’ll put him in the 23 shirt. He hasn’t played a game in 5 months and this is a must win game. Henshaw and Osborne have been solid so far already this season.
It’s harsh on Osborne but I’d start Ringrose, he’s World Class, but would put Osborne on the bench, meaning no 6-2 so Connors misses out.
Interesting selection call, Leo might go 5/3 to fit him on the bench . Would be a big ask to start him after 5 months of no game time
@Owen ODonoghue: Big risk indeed, but I think worth it, our attack and defence without GR hasn’t been at the same level – RH and JO are really 12s who can fill in at 13 (thought RH was actually a brilliant 13 up until the last 6 months when he’s played there regularly and has only been ok)
@Andrew Slazenger: And by ok I mean in the specific roles a 13 has, shutting the door on outside channel, calling the rush, biting in or not and then striking into outside space in attack, knowing when to take on the space or distribute etc etc as a rugby player RH has been excellent though
@Andrew Slazenger: I get your point! Robbie’s recent journey, since his return from injury, has been impacted in Green by Bundee’s stellar 2023 and Garry’s absence in Blue. The fact that he has been doing a brilliant job at 13 is in part a reflection of the lack of competition there and the surfeit of talent at 12. Robbie is still the best 12 on the island and makes most impact on games when he plays there.
@John Morris: bundee best 12 in world
@Owen ODonoghue: still go 6/ 2. Garry and Robbie. Frawley and foley cover the whole backline.
@chris mcdonnell: Hmm, could be interesting. Foley is having a great season.
@chris mcdonnell: based on McBrydes update it looks very likely a 6/2 with Frawley and McGrath as backs cover
@Gary Galligan: yep and we have 3 other excellent centres with Ringrose, Henshaw and McCloskey
Our depth is crazy too with Osborne, Forde, Gavin coming through and the likes of Frawley, Crowley and JOB all able to play there. Its like Irelands backrow depth now
@Owen ODonoghue: 100 pc. Pity about loose head props
@Owen ODonoghue: mcgrath is not a better option than foley. JgP is playing the full game barring injury so why not have a player who can play more than one position
@chris mcdonnell: i agree with you, Leo does not tho!
They said ringrose available last week to let’s see if he gets named on the team v bulls
Seeing lots of chatter on here about 5-3 vs 6-2 and how that affects Ringrose. I think he’s a naturally very fit guy but would a big ask to play at the high altitude with no game time in 5 months? My initial thoughts are go 6-2, well because it’s a Springbok team, but you can’t hardly start Ringrose can you so he’d miss out? But because it’s such a physical toll playing that high up will we need 3 back subs as guys are likely to be absolutely gassed. In any case – Leinster have badly missed Ringrose in both attack and D.
I think Osbourne & Ringrose will start as centres. The bench is likely to be 5-3 unless Foley surpasses McGrath as scrumhalf back-up & emergency wing cover.
@D Farrell: u dropping Robbie ?? Lol