Mayo at a Crossroads After a Disappointing 2025

Another year, another disappointing Championship exit for Mayo.

Much like in 2023 and 2024, the Green and Red struggled to make a meaningful impact in the All-Ireland series. Their defeat to Donegal marks Mayo’s earliest Championship exit since their infamous ‘Newbridge or Nowhere’ loss to Kildare in 2018. Questions are already being asked about what comes next for Mayo football, particularly around the future of the current management setup.

The Current Mayo Management

Appointed in 2022, the current management team inherited a Mayo side that had just lost to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final. They began their tenure positively by winning the National League, defeating old rivals Galway in the final. However, that momentum quickly faded with a disappointing 2-8 to 0-10 defeat to Roscommon, which forced Mayo into a five-week wait for their next game; a Group Phase clash in Killarney against Kerry. They won that match, handing Kerry their first home Championship defeat in 39 games and ending the longest unbeaten home streak in Championship history.

That result gave rise to optimism, but in hindsight, it remains the standout moment of the past three seasons. Mayo would go on to lose to Dublin in the 2023 All-Ireland quarter-final. This was the best Championship outcome under Kevin McStay and Stephen Rochford to date.

The 2024 season was underwhelming. Mayo only managed victories over Roscommon (twice), Cavan, and New York. They once again failed to capture the Connacht title, falling to Galway in the Connacht Final. A group-stage draw with Dublin denied them the chance to top the group and secure a direct quarter-final spot. Instead, they faced Derry in a preliminary quarter-final and were eliminated on penalties.

Mayo’s 2025 Season

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the Mayo management team entered 2025 under a cloud of uncertainty. Although doubts had circulated about their future, the County Board eventually issued a late vote of confidence for them to continue.

Mayo made it to the league final in March but were well beaten by Kerry after a lacklustre performance at Croke Park. In the Connacht Championship, they produced uninspiring wins over Sligo and Leitrim before losing to Galway yet again in the final. That result placed them in Group 1 of the 2025 All-Ireland group phase alongside Cavan, Tyrone, and Donegal.

Mayo was defeated by Cavan symbolising the failings of this management era. This was followed by a surprisingly strong performance in a win over Tyrone. That victory gave Mayo hope heading into a decisive match at Dr Hyde Park against Donegal. A spirited second-half display had them seconds away from a preliminary quarter-final spot. Instead, a dramatic late twist sealed Mayo’s worst Championship showing under this regime, as they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Declining Support

Supporters of the current management argue that they’ve faced an uphill battle from the start, particularly in winning over the Mayo fanbase. For many, the 2021 All-Ireland defeat (apologies, Mayo fans) was the final emotional blow. Since then, the once-passionate green and red wave that followed the team around the country has begun to fade, with years of heartbreak taking their toll.

Some say it’s simply unfortunate that this management team finds itself at the helm during such a period of disconnect. The bond that once united Mayo fans and their team feels as fractured as it’s been in decades. However, it must also be said that some of the decisions made by management have not helped repair that divide.

Style of Play

The 2025 season brought significant rule changes to Gaelic Football, intended to make the sport more dynamic and entertaining. Unfortunately for Mayo supporters, the football on display this year has often been anything but exciting.

Slow, deliberate, and overly cautious build-up play has left fans disillusioned and offered little reason to believe the team could capitalise on the new rules.

Mayo have struggled to consistently exploit the new two-point arc, often falling behind tactically against better-structured opposition. Their attempts to work the ball into close-range shooting positions have frequently broken down, leading to long stretches of sterile and ineffective possession.

While this slow, risk-averse approach might have been tolerated if it delivered results, that hasn’t been the case. As a result, Mayo football now finds itself in a position that many supporters have never experienced: stagnant, uninspired, and lacking belief.

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