Throughout the years in GAA we have seen many former inter county players go on to wear the bainisteor jackets but not many have the opportunity to say they got to wear the jacket for their county.

Over the past few years it’s safe to say we have been through a lot in Mayo GAA, new managers, players and more recently the beginning of a new era in Mayo GAA. In today’s post I will be talking about a mean who is no stranger to success in GAA may it be on the pitch as a player or whilst wearing the Bainisteoir jacket, Mayo Senior Manager Kevin McStay.

At sixteen years old, McStay made his intercounty debut.

He won two Connacht medals and went on to win one All-Ireland medal with the under-21 side.

In 1983, McStay played in his first senior championship. He went on to win two Connacht medals and play a major part in Mayo’s offensive during a prosperous period.
In 56 matches during his inter-county career, he scored 7–122 overall and became an All Star Winner in 1985.

Although McStay has a love for the yellow and blue of Roscommon, I think we can all agree the green and red of Mayo are the colours that suit McStay the best.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the new manager chaos in 2022, who has what is takes to lead the new era of Mayo football.

At first I had just known McStay as the former Roscommon manager but later got to learn his history with Mayo football and the excitement for the season ahead began.

The one thing I love to see in managers is passion, seeing how McStay’s love for the Rossies grew throughout his time then seeing it in a whole new level managing his home county.

The McStay era has begun.

Versus Roscommon is the national league 2023 I was lucky enough to get this picture.

Whilst trying to put my nerves aside I went up to Kevin and was lucky enough to get a picture, with my hand shaking like a leaf in which Kevin replied “ are you cold” sure we’ll go with that 😂

One of the nicest people you could meet off the pitch, who wears his county proudly on his heart.

Winning the National league with Mayo in 2023, the McStay era was a much needed change for Mayo GAA.

Although it’s still a fresh start I’m excited to see what’s in store for McStays time as Mayo manager but for me there’s no other person I’d want to see lead my county out for battle in the world of GAA.

As we all know you can never predict what will happen in GAA but that wouldn’t happen without the great people behind each team.

As we begin our championship campaign, I wish nothing but the best of luck to Kevin and the lads and as always Maigh Éo Abú 💚❤️