Donegal to face former coach Rochford as McStay steps back from Mayo manager role

Kevin McStay announced that he is stepping back from his role as Mayo senior football team manager for the immediate future to deal with some personal health issues.

Donegal are due to take on Mayo in their third All-Ireland SFC Group 1 fixture on the weekend of June 14/15 and Stephen Rochford, who coached Donegal from 2018 to 2022 under Declan Bonner. McStay was taken to hospital after falling ill during a training session in Castlebar on Saturday.

“Mayo GAA Board and I are in strong agreement that current Assistant Manager / Head Coach Stephen Rochford will lead our preparations for upcoming games," read a statement from McStay. "We are blessed to have a man of Stephen’s calibre and, as a valued member of the management team for the past three seasons, he ensures continuity. While I will not be on the training field or on the sideline on match day, I will be with management and players in spirit every step of the way,” said Kevin.

Mayo GAA chairperson Seamus Tuohy said: “We extend our best wishes to Kevin and thank him for all his work to date. We look forward to him returning to the role as soon as it is practical for him to do so. We also stand fully behind Stephen and everyone involved in the set-up.”