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Exclusive By Jonathan Mullin Kevin McStay has emerged as the frontrunner for the position of Mayo team manager - should John Maughan step down after three years at the helm. Initially, following the 1-13 to 2-6 defeat at the hands of arch rivals Galway in the preliminary round of the Connaught Championship, Maughan intimated that he would step down and "take a break" from the high pressure position. The general consensus at the time seemed to suggest that most of the footballing public of Mayo felt that the Castlebar based Army Captain had brought this side as far as he could. Players alike cited fatigue from continuous training over a strenuous three year spell for their lacklustre showing in McHale Park over three weeks ago. But that feeling has now turned full circle. A straw poll of players reveals that the majority would have no objection to Maughan returning to the fold, although most feel that a training schedule with less emphasis on the physical training side of things, would be more conducive to success. Additionally, around the county, the people have rallied behind John Maughan, many feeling that his achievement in bringing Mayo to two All-Ireland Finals (three if you count the replay) entitles him to another shot at the ultimate prize in Gaelic Football. The County G.A.A Board have stood behind Maughan from Day One and continue to do so even as the hats of contenders are thrown into the ring. The Board have given the Mayo manager a month to decide his future. If Maughan wants to stay on as manager, it is quite clear now that he will be allowed do so, for one year at the very least. But Maughan does have his own problems, the greatest of all being his more important managerial role in life, that as a husband and father. It is quite understandable that, after four years in charge of the Clare senior football team, and three in charge of his native county's troops, the strain of being away from family life can be quite intense. Managing a county senior team in the competitive environment that now emanates from the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Football Championship, can be an extremely time consuming 'profession' and any decision he makes regarding his personal life must be respected. Additionally, Maughan has recently become engaged in his own business in partnership with Westport -based businessmen, and this commitment will eat away at his available time also. Finally, and more decisively, John Maughan may have future work commitments with the Army which would definitely rule out for him another spell in charge of the side. Maughan plans to complete an extensive course following his appointment as Captain, and now, as he is based in Galway, there is a possibility that he could be asked to go to the Curragh for up to five months. All this spells trouble for any plans the County Board may have of re-appointing John Maughan as Mayo manager. Accordingly, the queue formed to replace him has increased in size as Maughan's imminent announcement of his plans is delayed further. At the head of the queue is Kevin McStay, who is understood to be the most popular choice as a replacement for his Army colleague. His strong position may cause much surprise around the county and this owes greatly to his relative inexperience at managerial level. In 1996 and 1997 McStay impressed many by the manner of football played by the Roscommon minor side under his tutelage. For years Mayo have been managed by defensive-minded managers ( . . . Maughan, Anthony Egan, John O'Mahony, Liam O'Neill . . .) and McStay's undoubted football intelligence would definitely be seen to be potentially beneficial to Mayo's forward division, a sector that have had a contentious time of it. McStay, himself, won a number of Connaught championship medals and was almost a permanent fixture in the forward line right up until his retirement from inter-county football. A well-spoken genial man, who nevertheless is known to be intolerant to indiscipline and a lack of commitment, McStay would certainly have the respect of the players. Also in that coveted queue is T.J. Kilgallon, who, crucially, would be a very popular choice among club delegates; Peter Forde, who split with the Maughan-led management team after last year's All-Ireland final defeat; last year's All-Ireland Junior Championship winning manager Billy Fitzpatrick, himself a former Mayo scoring great; and Brian McEnnif, a top rate manager who led Donegal to an All-Ireland championship in 1992 and a business man with vast commercial interests including some here on Mayo. Martin Carney, another former player admired and respected for his deep knowledge of the intricacies of Gaelic Football, has repeatedly ruled himself out of the reckoning. Those mentioned above will all enter into calculations. But should John Maughan vacate the manager's chair, whatever the reason, Kevin McStay, like in his playing days, will take some catching!
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