Colin Sheridan: Kevin McStay departure brings as many questions as answers — especially the how

Mayo’s abrupt parting with Kevin McStay hints at deeper tensions behind another failed All-Ireland pursuit

Kevin McStay has been let go from his role as Mayo manager. File picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

The treachery of Fredo Corleone in Godfather II. Lando Carissian’s betrayal of Han Solo in the Empire Strikes Back. Hans, the Charming Prince, double-crossing Anna in Frozen. The older I get the wiser I am to the fact it’s not Homer and Shakespeare movie-makers have been imitating off all this time, it’s Mayo football politics. Even when the obvious happens - such as the departure of Kevin McStay from his managerial position - it somehow evokes whispers of “Et tu, Brute?”. Such has been the back-catalogue of mishandled appointments, dismissals, and financial philanderings, everything - from the magical to the mundane - becomes bigger news than it ever needs to be.

Let's begin at the end. On Wednesday night, the County Executive released a statement advising that a decision had been made to “relieve Kevin McStay and his management team from their roles with the Mayo Senior Football Team with immediate effect.” The press release went on - with, some might argue, notable brevity - to thank Team McStay for their service. If a non-native English speaker reading this statement was immediately questioned as to whether it achieved its objective, I’m guessing they would say that it did. Somebody had a job. It didn’t go great. They were let-go from said job. That information was communicated to all concerned.