Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly have spoken publicly for the first time about last year's player revolt which led to their resignation as Mayo joint-managers.

The pair were forced to step aside after just one season in charge in the wake of Mayo's traumatic All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay loss to Dublin, with Stephen Rochford taking over from them. 

In an extensive interview with the Irish Independent, they point the finger at a small group of influential players who they believe are prolonging Mayo's All-Ireland famine.

"Players have got to concentrate on playing football and being as ruthless as it takes to win. They've got to allow management to manage and keep outside influences away. If they don't, it's unlikely they will be successful. Mayo have been in ten All-Ireland finals since 1989 and won none. That won't change until attitudes change," they said.

Stressing the need for 'egos' to be checked, Holmes and Connelly added: "If a small group within the squad are allowed to dictate the way they tried when we were there, it's not good for Mayo football.  If that situation is still there, the likelihood is that they will win nothing. That's the bottom line as we see it."

Their comments come after former defender Tom Cunniffe admitted last week that the revolt should never have happened.

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