Strong backing for McStay to be next Mayo manager

Kevin McStay has received strong backing from several Mayo clubs in his bid to become the county’s senior football manager.

The Irish Examiner understands McStay has become the players’ preferred choice to replace Horan, but the joint-ticket of Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes is bolstered by the 2006 All-Ireland winning U21 campaign in which the pair successfully oversaw current panellists Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins, Seamus O’Shea, Chris Barrett, Colm Boyle, Tom Cunniffe and Barry Moran. Holmes previously managed Mayo from 2000 to 2002, delivering national league glory in 2001, and guided Castlebar Mitchels to the All-Ireland Club decider this March.

McStay’s proposed backroom team, meanwhile, will consist of former selector and player Liam McHale. The Mayo County Board executive met last night to finalise the make-up and size of the selection committee and procedures to be employed in determining who fills the role.

McStay and Connelly/Holmes were the only names put forward by the clubs following close of nominations on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Clare hurling has been dealt another significant blow with the news Cathal McInerney has committed to the county’s football set-up.

McInerney, man of the match in the 2012 All-Ireland U21 hurling final, has decided to follow Cratloe clubmates Podge and Sean Collins in throwing his lot in with Colm Collins’ outfit next season. McInerney started in only one championship game this summer for the Banner hurlers, the drawn qualifier encounter against Wexford at Cusack Park, introduced as a second-half sub against Cork in the Munster championship semi-final.

Davy Fitzgerald made clear during the week he would no longer entertain dual players in the Banner hurling set-up.

“We tried to accommodate the dual player in 2014 and it did not work for either part in our opinion, player [Podge Collins] or management,” he said.

The decision of McInerney to switch allegiances is a boost to Colm Collin’s football squad who will compete in Division 3 of the league next year. Having represented the county at minor and U21 level, McInerney underlined his football pedigree when kicking five points from play for Cratloe in last year’s Munster Club decider against Dr Crokes.

Elsewhere, Kevin Harold is to replace Joe O’Connor as strength and conditioning coach on the Clare hurling backroom team.