The Obscure Moment In Irish History Resulting In Mayo's Andy Moran Being Called An 'Outside Manager'

Mayo finally took a decisive step towards appointing their next manager last night, with Andy Moran set to be ratified for the role at the next county board meeting.

The Connacht side have undergone a lengthy managerial search in recent times on the back of the controversial dispatching of Kevin McStay from the position. It was at one point suggested they could look outside the county for their next coach, with the likes of Tony McEntee and Oisin McConville linked.

However, they have ultimately opted for a more familiar face.

Andy Moran has amassed an impressive coaching CV in recent times. He impressed with Leitrim during his first inter-county management role, going on to play a key part in Monaghan's success this year as part of their backroom team.

He will now be hoping to lead a resurgence from Mayo in 2026.

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Andy Moran is one of Mayo's all-time greatest players, being one of only two men from the county to win the Footballer of the Year award. He would also claim eight Connacht titles and two NFL Division One crowns during his playing career.

While he may be a Mayo great, there has been a consistent theme to many of the comments made after the news of his appointment as manager came to light. Of course, we are referring to those who have jokingly labelled him as an 'outside manager' for the county.

Congratulations to Andy Moran who becomes Mayo's first outside Manager since Mickey Moran in the early 2000's.

— Pat Spillane (@PatSpillanee) August 11, 2025

First outside manager since Mickey Moran I believe🫢😆

— John McHugh (@KillerMcHugh) August 11, 2025

Breaking news: Roscommon man Andy Moran set to become new manager of Mayo. pic.twitter.com/OPtLgpUjDV

— The Gaelic Corner (@thegaeliccorner) August 11, 2025

So what's going on here? For those who are unaware, it all comes down to the fairly unique circumstances surrounding Andy Moran's home parish.

Ballaghaderreen is a town that nestles the borders of Mayo and Roscommon. However, despite being home to one of Mayo's greatest ever players, it is actually part of Roscommon.

This is where the anomaly comes in.

Ballaghaderreen was previously part of Mayo, only to be moved to its neighbouring county under the Local Government Act of 1898.

According to a piece from Malachy Clerkin in the Irish Times, the reasons behind the switch are not clear. One rumour suggested it has something to do with the lower rate of local tax in Roscommon, while another states that the town was essentially sold by the Mayo authorities in order to pay off a debt to its Connacht neighbours.

In any case, it left the local GAA club in an awkward position. The team then known as 'Faugh A Ballagh' had previously competed in the Mayo championship. Once the county border was redrawn, they would play one year in Roscommon club competition before returning to their original home.

They have remained part of Mayo club football ever since.

Therein lies the joke with Andy Moran. He might technically come from Roscommon, but he is very much part of a Mayo footballing background.

He is not the only legendary Mayo figure with links to the town. Two-time All-Ireland winning captain Sean Kilbride also hailed from Ballaghaderreen, while John O'Mahony taught in the local secondary school for many years.

As for Andy Moran and his relationship with Roscommon supporters, it has been a rather fraught one.

A section of Rossies supporters were widely condemned for repeatedly booing the Mayo forward during an All-Ireland quarter-final between the two counties back in 2017. It even resulted in Roscommon players releasing a statement to apologise for the behaviour of the fans in question.

Of course, Moran's choice of club was always going to make the prospect of pulling on a Roscommon jersey unlikely.

Ballaghaderreen won two Mayo senior titles in the century or so that followed the town's move to another county, with Moran having part of their most recent triumph in 2008. It is said that current county allegiances among the residents of the town are largely split down the middle.

As for the new Mayo manager, there is no doubt about where his loyalty lies.