The millionaire benefactor to Mayo GAA has written an open letter to Mayo fans and the departing county board.

Tim O'Leary addressed the note to "all Mayo and all GAA supporters" before calling for more transparency and oversight into governance issues.

Open letter to Mayo GAA

The letter reads:

"Firstly, I would like to congratulate the new members to the county board on their appointment and wish them all the success in their privileged positions as guardians of Mayo GAA.

I would like to thank in particular outgoing chairman Michael Connolly and other departing members of the county board for their hard work over the last few years. They are volunteers first and foremost who oversaw a period of relative great success for our county on the pitch during a very challenging and constantly-evolving period off the pitch. However, it was time for change.

Sunday December 15th 2019 will surely be one of the most important days in Mayo GAA history and hopefully the starting point for great days in the future of our fine county.

I would like to apologise for the negativity/bad publicity created over the last few weeks. I strongly felt that was a price worth paying if we were going to get change at the top table. 

Local GAA politics are extremely complicated and sensitive, especially in Mayo, and though some will disagree, I believed that the easiest way to share my concerns and point of view was via local/national media, WhatsApp and social media outlets. Some of my concerns/issues about transparency and governance apply not just to Mayo but to the wider GAA community and I hope Tom Ryan and his colleagues at Croke Park don't continue to turn a blind eye.

I would like to put on record that I have no desire to have a place on the MCB executive. I am confident the fresh approach by Liam Moffatt as chairman offers Mayo GAA stability and the greatest chance of success in the long term. Transparency and Governance should be the pillars of Mayo GAA and when we get our house in order, success will surely follow on the pitch, given the incredible playing pool within the county.

I will be engaging with Liam at the earliest possible opportunity with the aim to come to an amicable agreement on all the key outstanding matters before the season commences. The foundation will also consider offering Liam a place on its board and invite him to become a trustee."

The letter goes on to thank a number of people, as well as Mayo's fans for their support, "patience and understanding".

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