Tom Cunniffe has broken his silence on the player revolt that forced Mayo joint-manager Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly to resign 12 months ago.

The Castlebar Mitchels clubman, who is currently in the US after leaving the panel this year, believes the situation could have been handled a lot better by the players.

"We treated them badly. They should never have had to resign. They deserved a lot better," he told The Irish Independent.

Why is he stoking the embers of what was a divisive affair for Mayo football now?

"Obviously, the initial reaction will be - 'why is he doing this?' Some lads will be annoyed - some might say 'fair play' but whatever happens, I have no problems taking any arrows that come my way if it's any help to Pat and Noel.

"They are proud Mayo men who did so much for the county over many years. Their heart will always be in Mayo football."

Holmes and Connelly had guided their native county to the last four of the All-Ireland series but Dublin proved to be one bridge too far.

Cunniffe, who voted in favour of the heave, added: "I believe our decision was rash. I felt we should have had a few leaders meet Pat and Noel and go through the various issues that had been raised at the first two meetings. I would have much preferred that.

"I would never do anything to upset things but I just want to be fair to Pat and Noel. They went through a lot in the last year and they shouldn't have had to."

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