Mayo manager James Horan reveals what drives him to stay coaching intercounty football.

Horan has had two stints in charge of Mayo, leading them to two successive All-Ireland finals where they were eventually defeated by Donegal and Dublin in 2012 and 2013, respectfully.

Horan returned to the helm with Mayo in 2018 after resigning in 2014 due to a strained relationship with the county board.

Mayo has recently regained its status as a Division 1 team after a short season in football’s second tier and are favourites to triumph in the Connacht championship.

Speaking on Off The Ball, Horan spoke about why he continues to coach despite the stress and strained relationships that it causes.

“I love the game of football; I think it’s a brilliant game. Fundamentally, I love working with the guys to develop them and get them better. There’s great buzz out of that.

“You like to be tested whether you’re a player or a manager. To be tested at the highest level under the greatest pressure, and sometimes you’re not sure how you react until you’re in that situation. It’s a great buzz; the big game day is where you want to be."

James Horan talks to his players during a water break during the Allianz Football League Division 2 North Round 1 match between Mayo and Down

Constantly learning

A great thinker of the game, Horan says his appetite for knowledge is also a driving factor behind his continued coaching career.

“You’re learning every day, genuinely you are. Training sessions at the weekend, in games, in small-sided games, whatever it is, you’re looking at things all the time.

“We reflect after every session and every game as a coaching team to see if things worked, and if they didn’t ask ‘why?’ and if it did ask ‘why?’. So we’re constantly reflecting to learn from every decision we make.”

Calming presence

Horan concluded that his sideline demeanour is constantly developing and hopes his own calmness will transfer to those around him.

“I think it changed from season to season; to be honest, it’s evolving, I don’t know for the better”, Horan joked.

“I sometimes think on game day; you might be only adding noise to the system. You have to ask, ‘is it to any benefit of the players or the subs?’, so you have to be conscious.

“My overriding rule is the more composed you are, that is where the more benefit comes.”

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