Curran: Roscommon should move heaven and earth to lure McStay and O’Donnell

Former Roscommon captain Shane Curran has advised county officials to “move heaven and earth” to instal a management dream team of Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell.

The Rossies are on the lookout for a new boss following Kerry man John Evans’ decision not to seek a fourth season at the helm.

The Sunday Gamepundit Curran said the mood in the county is that Mayo legend McStay and ex-boss O’Donnell are the obvious candidates to step up.

McStay lives in Roscommon and guided county champions St Brigid’s to a breakthrough AIB All-Ireland Club title success in 2013, with Curran as goalkeeper.

O’Donnell managed Roscommon’s All-Ireland winning minor side of 2006 and led the senior team to provincial success in 2010.

“I think this is a critical appointment for Roscommon football,” said Curran. “I would have been critical of John Evans but he did get Roscommon to Division 1 of the Allianz League and a step forward has to be made now to keep them up at that level.

“Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell would be a great double act, as manager and assistant, and I feel Roscommon should move heaven and earth to make that happen.

“They’re two serious football men, highly respected and they both know the Roscommon scene intimately. There’s no doubt Roscommon can move up to the next tier of counties, like Donegal did, but this appointment is critical to ensure it happens.”

Curran described fellow pundit McStay, controversially overlooked for the Mayo job last year, as a “messiah” when he led Brigid’s to club success two years ago.

He suggested that the former Mayo All-Star be handed a wide-ranging brief that would allow him to oversee football in Roscommon generally.

“I’d love to see him in there as manager and also a semi-director of football,” said Curran. “There’s a five to 10-year plan that needs to be put in place to get the structures right to allow for organic players to come through and get up to that elite level.

“Kevin and Fergal would also bring the business community on board, which is crucial. They’d bring a hell of a lot of goodwill and support that’s been missing from the business community in the last few years for a few different reasons.

“You’re only fooling yourself if you think you can win All-Irelands or even invest in the future if the money is not there. That’s the reality.

“I think Mayo are spending in the region of €12,000 to €15,000 euros a week preparing their senior team. That’s not being done in a month in Roscommon.”

Curran ruled himself out of any involvement with the potential new management team.

“I just don’t have the time from a business perspective,” he said.