Connelly steps out of Mayo set-up

Former Mayo captain Noel Connelly has been plunged into retirement by new manager John Maughan.

Maughan, who succeeded Pat Holmes just weeks back in the position, asked Connelly to step up to a backroom staff role.

But the 30-year-old turned down the offer in order to continue at club level with local side Hollymount.

Connelly, captain of the Mayo sides that reached the 1996 and 1997 All-Ireland finals, said: "There¹s plenty of time for coaching and management when my football days are over. It¹s a case of seeing them out first though."