Latest news with #LiamMcHale
Irish Examiner
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Liam McHale steps down as Mayo ladies football boss
Mayo football great Liam McHale has stepped down as manager of the county's senior ladies footballers, after his side secured senior status today in a relegation playoff victory over Leitrim. Mayo LGFA confirmed McHale's departure in a statement released on Saturday evening. Read More Mayo see off Leitrim to book senior survival McHale took on the Mayo job in late 2023, but this season proved difficult, with the county suffering relegation in the National League and failing to progress in championship after a crucial defeat by Cork. However, the season ended positively with the 2-14 to 0-13 win over Leitrim. The Mayo statement read: "Any year in the top flight of LGFA is challenging. This has been a season of huge transition for Mayo Ladies Football. Mayo LGFA faced unprecedented squad changes with significant player departures. We have seen great young talent emerging and we are immensely proud of the young players who stepped up, made their debuts, and showed tremendous character throughout the campaign. Captain Danielle Caldwell deserves special mention for her leadership during a challenging period of considerable change. "The commitment required at senior inter-county level is immense - not just from players, managers, coaches, and the extended managerial team, but from their families too. We are grateful to Liam and his entire backroom team for their dedication to Mayo Ladies Football. "As Mayo LGFA looks to the future, the retention of Senior status provides a strong foundation for continued development. The experience gained by younger players this season, combined with the emergence of new talent, positions the county well for the years ahead. We give our heartfelt thanks to all Mayo supporters for their loyalty during a difficult season and look forward to building on today's success together. "Mayo LGFA extends its sincere gratitude to Liam McHale for his service to LGFA over the past two years, his lifetime of service to the County Mayo, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours."
BreakingNews.ie
31-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Nicola O'Malley confident Mayo can turn around their fortunes
Mayo defender Nicola O'Malley says she is confident Mayo can turn their season around ahead of the Ladies All-Ireland football championship. Following relegation from Division One, Mayo lost back-to-back games against rivals Galway, including the Connacht final. Advertisement Life will not get any easier for Mayo, as they face All-Ireland champions Kerry and Cork in their group. With a young squad that has seen a lot of turnover in the last 12 months, O'Malley says consistency has been an issue for the team this season. "They is probably phases during games where we play quite well, we just don't do it consistently enough", says O'Malley. "It is very easy to look at the negatives, and that is what people tend to do. We are trying to focus on the positives, and how we can build more of those into games. Advertisement "We have a very young panel at the moment, so it is very important we don't just look at the negatives, there has to be positivity looking towards what we are trying to do. "There is a lot of girls who would be in their first year of the senior panel, it is a different level of performance and a big step up to the senior level. You do have to keep that in mind." Led by someone who experienced plenty of ups and downs in a Mayo jersey, Liam McHale will not panic. For O'Malley, the encouragement he gives the team on the pitch and allowing freedom for younger players has been important to the squad. Advertisement "He encourages us to play our brand of football and try things, which I think is great. We don't want players to be afraid or worried about what style of play they engage in. "He has been there himself in the lead up to games. In the Connacht final, he has been in the dressing room, he knows what it is like. "It is great to have someone of his experience and help the younger girls through that." With three different winners in the last three years, and several contenders for the All-Ireland this season, it could not be more open. Advertisement They may not be talked about as potential winners, but Mayo going about their business under the radar, particularly under a period of transition, may suit this squad better. "I do think that the underdog title would suit the younger girls on the team, that there isn't that level of expectation on them. "You are free to go out and play. I think if you look at all three divisions, there is a number of teams in contention. It keeps that excitement in the games, and hopefully can hlep draw support in crowds at the games. "The last thing you want is having one team that is dominating, it keeps the excitment out of the games."
