Mayo GAA club pays tribute to inspirational departing manager
The club legend steered the team to All-Ireland glory
A leading Mayo GAA club has paid tribute its senior team manager as he steps down from the role.
Club legend Brian Benson had been at the helm of the side since 2021 and Crossmolina Deel Rovers paid tribute to the amazing impact he has had at the club.
“We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank him for an incredible contribution to our club. Brian began playing Senior football with Crossmolina Deel Rovers in 2003, going on to make 75 Championship and 136 League appearances, scoring 56 goals and 387 points for the club.
"While still an active player, Brian first dipped his toes into management in 2017, taking on roles with both our Junior and U21 teams. Brian hung up his boots in 2020, but he didn't last long as a spectator. He returned to the sideline, officially taking charge as Intermediate manager on 1 February 2021. In Brian's first year in charge, Crossmolina Deel Rovers reached the Intermediate Championship quarter-final,” said the club in a post on social media.
Crossmolina GAA club said Brian worked tirelessly to develop the team and lead them to All-Ireland glory.
“From there, Brian began a period of development for our players and expanded his management team, which brought significant success to our club. There were difficult days along the way, but Brian and his team kept investing their time, talent and experience, laying the foundations for a great period in the history of Crossmolina Deel Rovers.
"The first breakthrough came with the North Mayo Sweeney Shield win in 2023. Then came 2024. Brian and his team guided Crossmolina Deel Rovers back to Senior football by winning the Mayo Intermediate Championship. Under Brian's leadership, we went on to win the Connacht Intermediate Club Championship before being crowned All-Ireland Club Intermediate Champions in Croke Park, on a day in January 2025 that we will never forget.
"In our first year back in Senior football, Brian led the team to the Mayo Senior League final and through an impressive Senior Championship campaign, narrowly missing out on a place in the county final after a semi-final defeat to Westport.
"Brian came into management as a former teammate who understood hard work, commitment and what it means to play for Crossmolina Deel Rovers. He brought that same knowledge and passion to the sideline, helping to inspire a new generation of players,” said the club.
“Brian and his management team have given so much to our club: the training sessions, meetings, travelling, planning, tactics and so much more that we will never fully know about. Brian, on behalf of everyone at Crossmolina Deel Rovers (players, management, officers, members, supporters and the wider community), thank you.
"Thank you for your time, your sacrifices and your commitment to our club. Thank you for believing in yourself, your management team and your players, and for the pride your achievements have brought to Crossmolina. From player to leader to manager, and ultimately All-Ireland Champion, you have given so much to Crossmolina Deel Rovers,” the North Mayo club added.
