Mayo GAA County Convention round-up
Mayo GAA County Board Chairman, Seamus Tuohy addressing club delegates at the Mayo GAA annual convention at St. John’s Centre, Knock. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Mayo GAA stands on the threshold of enormous change in the county.
That was the opening message in the address by Mayo GAA County Board chairman Seamus Tuohy as the County Convention took place this afternoon in St John’s Centre in Knock.
The year had been a difficult one for the chairman, who was hospitalised after a bout of serious illness in July and August and Mr Tuohy admitted he was very uncertain whether he would return to his duties as County Board chairman.
He thanked the extraordinary kindness of his fellow County Board officers and the GAA world, emphasising that the GAA is not just an organisation, but a community and family.
Mr Tuohy said transformative steps have been taken for Mayo GAA in 2025, including the advertisement of a full-time CEO, the astro pitch at Mulvey Park and the legacy project of the long-awaited Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence. The chairman said that for years, Mayo was at a competitive disadvantage but now there will be a home for all of Mayo’s Gaelic games.
My Tuohy added that the historic Connacht v Munster rugby tie in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park was not just a game, but a statement, and opened the county to a wider sporting audience.
On the departure on Kevin McStay as Mayo senior football manager, Mr Tuohy, who was hospitalised at the time, said he provided guidance when he could but acknowledged that some decisions disappointed him and were not the best outcomes for Mayo GAA or for the individuals involved, but difficult decisions had to be made in the long-term interests of Mayo.
He thanked McStay for his dignity, passion and professionalism throughout his three-year tenure and wished new manager Andy Moran all the best for 2026 along with the new under-20 and minor management teams.
Treasurer Valerie Murphy updated delegates on the engagement with Revenue regarding a legacy issue in relation to tax liabilities and expenses.
Ms Murphy said the process is ongoing and make take several months to make. As a result, she could not make a comment on specific details of the self-review finding until the voluntary disclosures have been accepted by Revenue Commissioners.
Ms Murphy revealed they had also been advised that at county level that club expenses and payments to managers are likely to come under review in the coming years and urged all clubs to ensure their tax affairs are compliant.
On the county’s finances, Ms Murphy said income was up €417,143 on 2024, while expenditure was also up €34,852 on the previous year. In total, Mayo GAA recorded a surplus of €453,459, which is up €382,291 on the previous year.
There were queries from delegates on how much the Connacht Rugby game earlier this year benefitted Mayo GAA. Ms Murphy was unable to disclose the details, however, due to 'commercial sensitivities'.
The only contest on the day was for the two positions as Connacht GAA Council delegates. Crossmolina’s Liam Moffatt and Kiltimagh’s Paddy McNicholas were elected, defeating Cill Chomáin’s John Walker, whose own five-term as Mayo GAA Communications Officer has come to an end. Succeeding him is Paul Cunnane of Davitts, who previously served as Communications Officer, or PRO as it was then, from 2015 to 2020. All other County Board officers were elected in block for 2026.
A total of 11 motions were up for discussion, with a number of motions to be referred back to the Mayo CCC, including playing the Premier Junior Championships on alternate weekend than the main Mayo Club Championships, the introduction of preliminary quarter-finals for the Mayo Senior and Intermediate Championships, a review of the structure of the Junior Championships as well as a possible competition for players who have not played Senior, Intermediate or Exclusive Junior Championships in 2026.
A sub-committee will also be set by the Mayo CC in relation to a motion from Westport that calls for any club that has more than 75 registered adult playing members to be permitted, with the approval of the Mayo County Board, to enter an additional (second) team in the Intermediate Championship, provided that the club’s first team competes in the Senior Championship.
