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James Horan: 'We are delighted to have him in'

New Mayo selector Ciaran McDonald pictured with manager James Horan at Elverys MacHale Park on Sunday.

New Mayo selector Ciaran McDonald pictured with manager James Horan at Elverys MacHale Park on Sunday.

By Cian O'Connell

Mayo manager James Horan is delighted that Ciaran McDonald is now part of his backroom team.

The former green and red star will act as a coach and selector for Mayo, who were defeated by Galway following a penalty shootout in the Connacht FBD League at Elverys MacHale Park on Sunday.

Horan believes the Crossmolina Deel Rovers clubman can make a significant impact with Mayo in his new role.

"He was a smart footballer and he understands football and he is a very good coach, he is working with a lot of the guys on various bits and pieces so we are delighted to have him in," Horan says. 

"He’s coaching; James Burke was obviously there last year and he is working with James, the two of them are doing the majority of the sessions so it is working well."

The highly regarded Tom Parsons also made a welcome return from injury against Galway in Castlebar.

"Tom is back and he is building and improving," Horan admits. "It’s the first full game he has played so he has work to do, but it was good to see him back.

Ciaran McDonald will be a Mayo selector in 2020.

Ciaran McDonald will be a Mayo selector in 2020.

"He has been fantastic, but he doesn’t want to talk about that any more he wants to talk about his performances and how he has played so he has moved on, but of course it was great to see him."

Mayo face Donegal in the Allianz Football League on January 25 with Horan excited about that upcoming encounter.

"Today for us was a chance for some guys who have been knocking around for a while and for some new guys to play an inter-county game," Horan stated.

"Some of them did very well so we are excited about that. We have guys coming back and quite a few injuries, not serious injuries just guys trying to get right. 

"That will come together very quickly, we are going up to Donegal. It is going to be a brilliant game for us. It will be an exciting one. We had a clash last year and we are looking forward to going up there for a good game.

"I thought some of the new guys were exceptional, Padraig O'Hora, Jordan Flynn, and Brian Walsh, in particular, were very good. 

"I was very happy with elements of it, I would have liked a result as well, but it is not everything at this stage."