Maughan in line for shock return to Mayo hotseat
The 48-year-old, who has also managed the footballers of Clare, Fermanagh and Roscommon, is now in charge of the Crossmolina senior side.
However, he didn’t rule out a return to the Mayo role and has now been installed as the 6/4 favourite with a local bookmaker ahead of this week’s deadline for nominations.
Former Mayo stars like Noel Connelly, Ray Dempsey, James Horan, Denis Kearney and Peter Ford are all understood to be weighing up their options this week. It is also believed that former Kerry All-Ireland winning manager, Mick O’Dwyer (74), has been sounded out about his interest in the Mayo job.
Meanwhile, the Mayo over-40s captain, John Pat Sheridan, has offered to lead the county’s Masters team to New York to play in the FBD League Final if no manager is in place by mid-October. “Let there be no rush to appoint a senior manager,” he said.
“I know a bunch of footballers that are trained and ready to go over and represent the county.”
The over-40s are currently sidelined after the All-Ireland Masters championship was disbanded by GAA officials last month.
Across the county bounds, Sligo GAA chairman John Murphy said Kevin Walsh’s decision to stay in charge was a ‘huge boost’ to the Yeats County. Walsh, a double All-Ireland winner with Galway, turned down overtures from his native county and on Monday night was ratified to stay in charge of Sligo for the next two years.
Murphy said: “It’s a huge boost. It is also an endorsement of all that has gone on here in the past couple of years. Kevin has said it all along that this is a work in progress. He believes there is more to do and more that can be achieved. The players are happy, so are the supporters and so are the board. It is great he and his backroom team are staying.”
Walsh has led Sligo to successive promotions and they will feature in division two of the national league next year. Walsh masterminded the championship exits of Mayo and Galway this year before they were shocked by Roscommon in the Connacht final and then went down to a heavy defeat in the qualifiers six days later.
Meanwhile Colm Bonnar looks set for a third season as Wexford senior hurling manager.
Bonnar has yet to meeting with County management committee but sources suggest both parties are keen for the Tipperary legend to remain in the post.
However there is uncertainty over whether his management team of Eamonn Scallan, Conor Power and John Barron will be on the sidelines for the 2011 campaign.
Bonnar’s football equivalent Jason Ryan has met with Model County chiefs to review the season however he has yet to announce his intentions.
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