Buckley now a Mayo selector

Donie Buckley’s role within James Horan’s Mayo management set-up has been upgraded to selector. The Kerryman replaces James Nallen, who stepped down due to work commitments.

Buckley joined the Mayo backroom team last season as replacement for Kingdom-bound Cian O’Neill and had been officially described as a coach.

However, once Nallen left, Horan has been on the lookout for someone to take up his role and found a way to split the responsibilities. Goalkeeping coach Peter Burke will take up his on-field duties as a runner delivering messages and water while Buckley becomes a selector alongside Tom Prendergast. The title will make little difference to Buckley’s role given his influence on tactical and team decisions last season.

The Castleisland native was a coach with Kerry in 2011 but was not part of new coach Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s plans last season. Mayo were more than happy to accommodate the Kerry man, widely regarded as one of the country’s top coaches.

“He’s definitely brought something different,” said Horan. “His sessions are different to last year. A lot of the drills and his approach are different. It takes a while to get used to something new but Donie has definitely added value to the set-up.”

Based in Ennis, he coached Limerick for three years under Mickey Ned O’Sullivan and was joint manager of Clare for a spell.