Only a matter of weeks after James Horan led Mayo to the All Ireland final, GAA matters in the county were thrown into a state of flux again with reports this week the Ballintubber club man was considering his position in charge of the side over a number of logistical issues. The issues of concern were reported to have been hotel accommodation in Dublin and the availability of training pitches and McHale Park.
However on Wednesday night the Mayo GAA County Board PRO Aidan McLoughlin issued a strongly worded statement, where he confirmed that Horan had met the board and would be offered a two year extension to his current deal which has a year left to run.
In the statement he said: “Following a very productive meeting last night with the Mayo Senior Football manager, it has been unanimously decided to recommend to the coiste banistí of Mayo GAA that James Horan be given a two-year extension to his three-year term contract. This recommendation will go before next Monday night’s county board meeting.”
McLoughlin continued to hit out at reports earlier in the week that Horan was going to walk, saying: “Despite unconfirmed and unwarranted reports earlier this week, the Mayo senior football team manager and Mayo County Board have always had and will continue to have a very good working relationship. Mayo County Board along with the Mayo senior football management are committed to ensuring that the Mayo senior footballers receive the best available resources and facilities in order to help them fulfil their full potential.”
The statement concluded with McLoughlin saying that county board was delighted to have Horan in charge of the side and the progress he has made with the teams since taking over in late 2010, following John O’Mahony’s resignation.
“The Mayo senior team under the management of James Horan have made tremendous progress in the last two years. Mayo County Board are delighted to have a manager of the calibre that is James Horan and remain extremely confident that this team will realise their ultimate goal in the very near future.”
One current Mayo player who was happy the issue was resolved was Breaffy’s Aidan O’Shea who took to his Twitter account on Wednesday night after the news broke to say, “Good to hear all resolved etc.... Delighted the gaffer has been given an extension. #Sillyseason over in Mayo.”
Horan’s next official engagement on behalf of Mayo GAA will be tomorrow night, Saturday, when he is scheduled to launch the Mayo GAA senior football development academy along with Cillian O’Connor in McHale Park.
