Kevin McStay steps back from Mayo role due to 'personal health issues'

Stephen Rochford will take over as Mayo manager for their upcoming All-Ireland SFC games. 

Kevin McStay before the All-Ireland SFC group stage game against Cavan. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kevin McStay has stepped back from his role as manager of the Mayo footballers for the "immediate future" to "deal with some personal health issues".

The Irish Examiner reported over the weekend that McStay suffered a medical episode at a training session on Saturday and was hospitalised overnight. 

McStay was appointed to the role in late 2022. This season was his third in charge of the county. Former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford, a member of McStay's backroom team, will take over as manager for their upcoming All-Ireland SFC games. 

In a statement, McStay said: “Mayo GAA Board and I are in strong agreement that current Assistant Manager / Head Coach Stephen Rochford will lead our preparations for upcoming games. We are blessed to have a man of Stephen’s calibre and, as a valued member of the management team for the past three seasons, he ensures continuity. While I will not be on the training field or on the sideline on match day, I will be with management and players in spirit every step of the way."

Mayo GAA chairperson Seamus Tuohy added: “We extend our best wishes to Kevin and thank him for all his work to date. We look forward to him returning to the role as soon as it is practical for him to do so. We also stand fully behind Stephen and everyone involved in the set-up."

Mayo face Tyrone in their second game of the All-Ireland SFC group stage in Omagh on Saturday and then Donegal a fortnight later. Mayo lost to Cavan in their opening game of Group 1.