Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Horan out and Mayo hunt boss
JAMES HORAN has quit as Mayo manager following Sunday’s All-ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry.
It’s the second time Horan has stepped aside in the aftermath of a Championship exit at the hands of the Kingdom.
Mayo ran out of steam in Sunday’s quarter-final, when the marksmanship of Ryan O’donoghue and Tommy Conroy was sorely missed as Kerry ran out eight-point winners.
Horan commented: “It has been a brilliant journey and I feel very lucky to have worked with great players and people.
“We had some great times and created brilliant memories that will live on.
“The initial focus was to make Mayo football consistently competitive on the main stage, I feel that has been achieved and the senior team have moved in the right direction.
“Hopefully, there is a strong base for Mayo football to be moved forward to new heights.”
County board chairman Seamus Tuohy said that Horan “has given it everything and while the ultimate reward did not arrive, he cannot be faulted for his effort” while confirming that the search for his successor will start in the coming weeks.
As yet, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious candidate.
Mike Solan would appear to have strong credentials having managed the Mayo under-21s to an All-ireland title in 2016 but is currently part of Andy Moran’s management team in Leitrim and may not want to break his commitment there.
The same would apply to former Mayo star Moran, whose name will also be linked.
Mayo under-20 boss Maurice Sheridan will likely be considered also.
Stephen Rochford, who Horan succeeded four years ago, is part of the Donegal management team but could be sounded out for a return.