Mayo GAA tonight ratified Maurice Sheridan as the county’s U20 manager. Both he and former Minor manager Tomás Morley were interviewed for the position this week and following this the Balla native was appointed to the post.
The new manager comes into the role with plenty of management and coaching experience, to say nothing of his nine years as a member of the Mayo team that reached the All-Ireland final in 1996 and 1997. As a player he also captained Salthill/Knocknacarra to All-Ireland club title success in 2006.
He managed the NUIG team for its Sigerson Cup campaign in 2018 and, along with Anthony Finnerty, co-managed Salthill/Knocknacarra last year. Along with Alan Molloy, who joins his management team, Maurice coaches the Claregalway secondary school’s senior team, where he’s a teacher. He previously coached at St Louis Community School in Kiltimagh.
Fellow Balla man Ger Flanagan was out of the traps quickly tonight with an online piece for the Mayo News, which provides more detail on the appointment. That’s here.
According to Ger’s piece, the new man’s backroom team comprises former Mayo player Peadar Gardiner, Alan Molloy (Knockmore), Kieran Kilkenny (Davitts) and Corofin native Kieran Murphy.
Covid permitting, this year’s Connacht U20 Championship is set to begin on the weekend of 3/4 April and is due to be played off over three weeks.
Congrats to Maurice and his backroom team and the best of luck to them for the year ahead.
Excellent appointment by Mayo Gaa. Best of luck to Maurice and Co for the year ahead. Up Mayo!
Best of luck Mo!
That’s a great appointment and delighted with the backroom team. Wishing them well.
One of the first players I have a strong memory of playing when I was young – very best of luck to him!
Looks a good appointment and backroom team on paper. I presume Enda Hession and Jack Carney will be 2 of the main players on the team along with some of the 2019 minors – Luke Jennings in goals, Frank Irwin, Ethan Henry, Paddy Heneghan.
Excellent news, even more excellent that Peadar Gardiner is on board. A top guy.
A gentleman, met him at my nephews stag in Salthill a number of years ago and spent a few very enjoyable hours talking football. Good luck to him
We could do with a good run at underage. No better man than Maurice.
Great appointment and backroom team.
Delighted to see a back in the backroom. Wishing them the best of luck.
Mayo forever
Best of luck to Maurice and his team. A good appointment for all.
he should produce a good free taker for the Senior team going forward.
Happy to see a fellow Balla man get the job. Good CV, I think the Sigerson experience is particularly useful for the job ahead. Don’t know the other lads but Peadar Gardiner was a leader on the field and has to be a big asset.
Good luck to him.
Should be a decent team, the best of the u20s and the stronger players from the u19s.
Looks a good appointment there.
Looks an excellent appointment. Peadar Gardiner should be great asset too.
Tomás did not have a great run as minor manager but perhaps he did not have great material to work on and you can’t judge anybody on 2020. No doubt he will not be short of managerial opportunities in 2021. Good luck to him too.
Alan Molloy was and still is Knockmore senior trainer. A great addition to any team, know our lads rate him highly.
Gizmo woukd you think Sean Holmes, Connell Dempsey and Conor Flynn in from the Knockmore u20s?
Adam Naughton I guess depends on his recovery?
Pearce Ruttledge?
Actually it’s Sean Ruttledge is u20 not Pearse he’s u21.