Former Mayo manager John Maughan ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Mayo senior managers job late on Thursday evening. The Crossmolina native who three times guided Mayo the All Ireland senior final confirmed to the Mayo Advertiser that he would not be going forward to the interview stage of the process, he told the Advertiser that he was very interest in the job, but following a discussion with chairman of the county board on Thursday he decided not to pursue his interest in the position any further.
Maughan had previously two stints as manager of the Mayo senior team during both terms he guided them to the All Ireland senior final, as well as a u21 final in 2004. The withdrawal of the Crossmolina man has now put bookies favorite Tommy Lyons in an even stronger position ahead of any interviews taking place. Lyons is the only man of the three remaining candidates for the position who has any senior inter county experience having managed both Offaly and Dublin to Lenister titles. It was a Lyons managed Offaly side in 1997 whom a Mayo team managed by John Maughan beat in the All Ireland semi final. The other two men who remain in the race are Ballintubber manager James Horan and former Mayo player Anthony McGarry.
