Ex-St Brigid's and Roscommon boss McStay appointed Mayo manager
Kevin McStay has been named as the manager of the Mayo senior football squad for the next four years.
A Roscommon resident, McStay led Kiltoom club St Brigid's to All Ireland glory in 2013, before going on to manage the Roscommon county team.
The former All-Star was confirmed as the successful candidate for the Mayo managerial vacancy at a special meeting of the Mayo County GAA Board in Castlebar tonight.
An interview panel nominated him for the role ahead of Ray Dempsey, Mick Solan and Declan Shaw.
Ahead of the interviews at Knockranny Hotel in Westport over the weekend, McStay had named former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford, ex-Mayo coach Donnie Buckley, coach Liam McHale and former Belmullet manager Damien Mulligan as his backroom team.
Liam McHale was also part of McStay's team during his memorable spell with St Brigid's.
His appointment as Mayo manager represents a remarkable turnaround for the Ballina man, who had ruled himself out of ever seeking the position again after he missed out on securing the job in 1995 and 2015, having being led to believe on both occasions that he was the leading contender for the post.
Speaking at the launch of his book, The Pressure Game, in October 2019, he announced that his memoir signalled the end of his career in football management.
"When I finished up with Roscommon, I was physically exhausted. I knew it was time to make a clean break and the time was right to write my book," he said.
He confirmed then that he would not be applying for the Mayo management position if the opportunity arose in the future.
Having missed out for the post twice, he said he was particularly disappointed by the circumstances in which he lost out seven years ago.
"It was the lowest point of my sporting career. It was a pity for myself and my family to miss out. I have moved on from all that, however," he said.
However, such is his passion for Mayo football, he could not keep the promise he made to himself three years ago.
And when the vacancy opened up following the decision of James Horan to step down at the end of June, following Mayo's quarter-final exit from the All-Ireland championship to Kerry at Croke Park, he applied for the role.
County Board chairman Seamus Tuohy wished McStay and his team every success over the coming seasons.
He paid tribute to all four candidates for their passion and their impressive interviews.
McStay will begin his term by attending club county championship games across Mayo over the coming weeks before selecting a panel ahead of the 2023 National League series.