Connelly, Holmes to manage Mayo U-21s

Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes, who were both instrumental in Mayo's National League title win in 2001, have been chosen to manage Mayo's Under-21 footballers for next season.

Connelly, the 2001 captain, and Holmes, the team boss back then, will act as joint-managers. Both Tommy Jordan of Crossmolina and RTE GAA pundit Martin Carney, who was a previous Under-21 supremo, were also in the running for the post.

Michéal Collins (Lacken) and Stephen Healy (Charlestown) are the new managerial pairing's selectors for 2006.

Meanwhile, a loan of €1.5m had been approved for the Mayo County Board to proceed with their re-development of the county stadium at McHale Park, Castlebar.

If the work, which will include the construction of a new 12,000-seater stand and floodlights, is to the liking of the GAA's Central Council, a further grant of up to €1m may be permitted.

McHale Park originally cost IR£1,700 to build back in 1931, and was bumped up to a 36,000 capacity after lengthy development between 1990 and 2002.

Last March, the Mayo County Board took control of McHale Park with a 50-year lease.