Horan’s not bothered by O’leary row

MAYO boss James Horan says he was nonplussed by benefactor Tim O’leary’s call for him to be axed.

O’leary posted a tweet containing ‘#Horanout’ in the wake of Mayo’s nine-point loss to Monaghan last Sunday though later deleted it and apologised, saying that he was under the influence of alcohol when posting it. He has since deactivated his Twitter account.

However, it proved to be the final straw for the Mayo county board, which has endured a strained relationship with the English-born millionaire (inset), who established the Mayo International Supporters Foundation as a fundraising vehicle for GAA activities in the county.

Late on Monday night, the county board issued a statement saying it had “ceased all dialogue” with

O’leary following his tweet, which contained the type of sentiment which Horan said doesn’t bother him these days.

“Not anymore,” he told the Mayo News Football Podcast. “Maybe it did and look, everyone reacts differently. I’m so busy – we’ve 40 guys in here and a support team and everyone is trying their utmost to develop and grow.”

In relation to the county board’s stance on O’leary, Horan said: “I think everyone saw the statement ratified by the executive and I think that really clarified or closed the situation.

“My job is to ensure the players are in the best place they can be playing football and Liam Moffatt, who is chairman of the board and who I am working with very, very closely on a lot of different initiatives and policies that will hopefully improve the academy and the linkage right through to the senior team.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Mayo International Supporters Foundation is to be discontinued in light of this week’s developments and €250,000 which was supposed to be handed over to the county board will now be distributed to largely local charities with a portion also going to the Mayo ladies footballers.

The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation has already been given €50,000. Martina Jennings, CEO of the hospice foundation, said: “We are thrilled. Tim O’leary has been a terrific supporter of our foundation.”

Everyone is trying their utmost to develop and grow