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Mayo GAA to propose Ray Larkin and Brian Finn as joint-managers of Mayo senior hurlers

Mayo GAA will be proposing Ray Larkin and Brian Finn at the next meeting of the County Board as the new joint-managers of the Mayo senior hurling team.  Following interviews and an Executive meeting this evening, Mayo GAA have decided to recommend Ray Larkin and Brian Finn to replace Dave McConn and Tom Phillips as the new team to manage the Mayo senior hurlers on a two year term.

Galway native, Ray Larkin led Tooreen hurling club to the AIB GAA All-Ireland Intermediate hurling final against Limerick’s Monaleen in Croke Park earlier this year.  The Kilnadeema/Leitrim clubman has won five county hurling finals and four Connacht hurling titles as a coach and manager.  He has managed the Tooreen senior hurlers since 2020.  Brian Finn has managed the Mayo U17 Celtic Challenge hurling team and the Mayo U20 hurling team for the past two years.

Mayo GAA Chairperson Seamus Tuohy said that if ratified, Ray Larkin and Brian Finn would have the support of the county board and all the hurling clubs.  “There is a lot of interest and support for hurling in Mayo at present and the emergence of several new adult hurling clubs in Mayo augers well for the future,” commented Seamus Tuohy.

Mayo GAA Hurling committee chairperson Sean Ó Raghallaigh said tremendous work is taking place in the clubs and in the county to promote hurling at present.  “Our senior hurling team is the flagship for all our club players and it is so important that if Ray and Brian get ratified that they get the full backing of all the hurling clubs and the Mayo GAA County Board going forward.  We now have twelve adult hurling teams in the county and all these players will get an opportunity to make the grade at senior intercountry level,” commented Sean Ó Raghallaigh.

Ray Larkin and Brian Finn have assembled a very impressive backroom team with former Galway senior hurler Nigel Shaughnessy enlisted as head coach.  The Loughrea native has also coached senior hurling club sides Clarinbridge and Killimordaly in Galway and Na Piarsaigh in Limerick.  Westmeath hurling development coach and former Carlow senior hurler Stephen Sheil will assist Shaughnessy in his role.