Mayo GAA confirmed a short while ago that Stephen Coen will captain the Senior football team this year. Tommy Conroy and Paddy Durcan will act as vice-captains on the team.
For a relatively young man, Stephen has been on the Senior panel a long time, having made the step up as far back as 2014. The previous year the Hollymount/Carramore clubman captained Mayo to the All-Ireland Minor title and he went on to repeat this achievement with the county at U21 level in 2016. Since then he also skippered UCD to Sigerson Cup success so there’s a strong argument to be made that he’s a lucky General.
That said, Stephen’s appointment as Mayo team captain has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with hard graft. He’s been a solid, consistent performer at the top level for a number of years but last year in particular he put in a huge shift for us and he was one of the few Mayo players to emerge from September’s All-Ireland final with his reputation enhanced. As a result, he deservedly featured in the list of All-Star nominees for 2021.
Stevie has carried himself like a leader ever since he first featured at Senior level and today’s appointment is one that was always going to happen at some point. He’s the perfect pick to lead the team in 2022.
Congrats to Stephen – and to Tommy and Paddy too – and best wishes to all of them for the year ahead.
Stephen is a great example to any young footballer of what is required to succeed at the top level. He is not the most naturally gifted Mayo footballer ever. However, through his dedication and commitment he has developed into a top class intercounty player who goes about his business without any fuss or media attention.
Well done Stephen and best of luck to Mayo in the year ahead
Stephen Coen is an excellent choice as captain . I feel fully vindicated in my unwavering support for him now 🙂
Tommy Conroy is a mad choice for VC though. Just let him play for now without putting unnecessary responsibility on him . And attention !
Stephen would have been my choice. He had his best season last year. He gets 1% better every year, compound interest.
Good look to him in the role.
Good choice. The guy is an obvious leader, quiet but serious and unflashy. Has captained u21 teams and sigerson teams to victory so obviously has something about him. Was one of the few who excelled in the final.
Cant see him being distracted by off pitch stuff either.The fact coen was the guy bought out to the press day ahead of all Ireland last year speaks volumes
Didn’t see tommy conroy as vice captain coming but the more I think about it I like it, a nod to the younger generation in the squad that age doesn’t matter if they are good enough and willing enough
Ya Tommy Conroy is a surprising choice for vice captain but if he is showing leadership potential within the squad then it is the right decision. Maybe there are two vice captains to protect him/allow Paddy D to captain if Stephen is unavailable.
I have heard that some of the younger talent coming through have great leadership traits. Wonder is this something that is worked on in Development panels?
Never said in my previous post that Stephen is a super choice as captain. Best of look to him and the team in 2022
Best of luck to Stephen, Paddy and Tommy in their roles. Stephen obviously has captain material, that UCD team had plenty inter County players so this was a reflection of his capabilities.
Leadership is not about who is the best player but who can drive standards and do what needs to be done when things are not going right, Stephen stood up in the AIF last year so glad to see this appointment.
Crazy logic, but we should win an All-Ireland now with Coen as captain. He obviously is a natural born leader, captaining minor, u-21 and Sigerson winning teams.
Congratulations to Stephen. This was always going to come about and now is the right time to have made the choice.
Yes Stephen Cowley I managed to get it done, there was a problem with aib app, now to be able to use it
Jp2, good stuff, it was getting squeaky bum time with the deadline
A very popular choice and Mikey’s post pretty much sums it up. The closest we got to Sam in my memory was with another Hollymount man Noel Connelly as captain in 1996.
Happy New Year all, and thanks again to Willie Joe for his continued dedication to this blog of blogs. Aren’t we lucky. It’s my go-to practically every day (morning, noon and night), like other people have coffee, or harder stuff.
Yes Stephen is a good choice – one feels the role will suit him well.
2022 – here we go again!
Stephen feels like a steady influence, a strong sturdy bulwark on our team.
This is such a good quality.
I just remembered today that, as well as his minor, under-21 and Sigerson credentials, Stephen played in that awesome 2017 final, that game of games for Mayo. Surely he knows something about intensity, what competition at the highest level is, from that. This augurs well for his leadership qualities for me, the example he can set for the younger members of our team.
Best of luck to Stephen. It was only a matter of time before he was offered the role. Roll on the action in 2022.
Congratulations,Stephen. No better man.
Great choice for Captain, the record of the teams he has captained speaks volumes.
Happy new year Willie Joe and to all on the blog. Congratulations to Stephen Coen being made captain he’s an excellent choice.
Great choice as Captain , could we now leave him alone plus all the players and Management till they bring Sam home.
Examiner has a piece on young footballers to watch in 2022.
Guess which Mayo lad they profile?
Great move.First positive news since final in September.The fact that he was chosen as UCD Captain speaks volumes.He could have been appointed 2 years ago to be honest.
Hopefully we position him at FB now as well and bring stability to that role.
Interesting to see Sam Callinhan pointed out in Examiner today as one to watch.Can he score?.Half forward maybe?
You spoiled it on me 1989!
Happy New Year to all of the Mayo Gaa Bloggers.
An excellent appointment. Roll on the big game in the dome.
Should have been done a year ago.
Will be hard for Callinan to break through this year. When was the last leaving cert student to play for the Mayo senior team?
Connell Dempsey would be my tip of players not on the existing panel. A wing forward/midfielder which is something we need.
I’d say Aidan o Shea was the last leaving cert student to play senior championship football for Mayo, back in 2009.
Excited to see what Callinan can offer, but there’s others a couple of years older than him that may just break through in 2022.
I see Peter canavan has another 18 year old son, Ruairi, that lit up the Tyrone championship.
Patience required with these young lads. Conall Dempsey has potential from what I’ve seen, but he fades out of games for long periods of times at club level, so a bit much to expect much impact at intercounty level yet.
Some players I would like to see in Horans extended panel
Kieran King Knockmore
Pearce Ruttledge Knockmore
Conal Dempsey Knockmore
Colm Moran Westport
James Kelly Belmullet
Eoghan McHale Belmullet
Cathal Slattery Garrymore
Gary Golden Garrymore
Oisin McLaughlin Westport
Sam Callinan Ballina
Conor Diskin Claremorris
Luke Jennings Ballinrobe
Sam og There was a intermediate and junior championship this year where players impressed.
Well the Combines should have sorted a lot out. Do I understand here that players are assessed against all the relevant criteria – stamina, strength, speed, before they kick a ball at all?
Where can I get tickets for the Mayo v Galway fbd game
What website are the tickets on for sale
James+Fleming , there available only in a corporate package, contact Mayo Gaa directly for further details
@stephen Cowley,
Where did you hear this or can you provide a link or source please?
FW I’d say someone is pulling leg there
@ FBDinashui
Ha! You might be right but hard to know the last few months….
I wonder will there be any team announcement before Friday.