Ballintubber man Tony Duffy was handed the job of Mayo minor manager for 2010 at the county board meeting this week. County secretary Seán Feeney told the delegates at the meeting: “I would like to thank the other candidates for their interest in the position, it was a tough decision, but we feel that we have picked the strongest possible team for the job.” Feeney also confirmed that Duffy’s appointment was for an initial period of one year. The other candidates for the post were Louisburgh’s Pádraic Walsh, Donal Touhy from Bonniconlon, and Westport’s George Golden, to whom Feeney apologised to for finding out they did not get the job through the press, saying “it was supposed to be kept confidential.”
West Mayo only divisional side to enter senior championship
A formal proposal was taken at the county board meeting this week to include a west Mayo divisional side in the senior championship. This proposal had to be made so the county board can hold a extra convention before the next county board meeting. The draw for the senior championship will be held as normal with four groups of four being drawn first with a separate draw being held which will place West Mayo in one of the groups. The meeting was also informed that if West Mayo finish bottom of their group the team that finishes ahead of them will go into the relegation play off.
The Welcome Inn leagues will get under way around the county on Sunday April 4, while the new senior and intermediate leagues which will be played by clubs without any county players will get under way on February 2. These leagues will see two divisions of eight being drawn with seven games for each side, and the top two sides in the sections playing off in the final. The leagues will be played on weekends Mayo will be involved in National League, and in the lead up to Connacht Championship games when inter county players are not available.
FBD due to get under way this Sunday
It may be a week late, but the paying public will get their first chance to see Mayo in action since their elimination from the All Ireland series last August by Meath at the quarter final stage in Croke Park. Garrymore is still down as the venue of the first round of the FBD league against NUIG, and a good crowd will be expected to turn out despite the cold weather. Mayo will once again be captained by Trevor Mortimer for this year, the Shrule-Glencorrib man lifted the Nestor Cup in his first year of leadership and will be a popular choice among fans to lead Mayo on the field.
