Former Mayo senior football manager Liam O'Neill feels that the appointment of a director of football in the county would be hugely beneficial to the Connacht side.

O'Neill, who was in charge of the Mayo seniors for four years during the eighties now lives in San Diego California and works as a GAA coach out there.

He believes that the work is been done at underage level, but that the problem lies after this when transforming the minor stars into senior stars.

"It's not unusual to have players on the under-16 team cycle through at least six managers up to the time they finish at under-21 level. During this formative period they are subjected to mixed messages on all levels, especially in tactics and execution in the match setting, leading to confusion on the part of the young players," said O'Neill.

"With no where to go for advice, their careers are in the hands of the next manager, voted in, leading to even further confusion. I believe a relatively quick way to streamline player development is to get everyone on the same well designed plan, communicating and implementing a strategic, common programme.

"This programme must be implemented and managed by a full time director of coaching and that person must be employed independent of the county board." Tweet

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