Possibilities abound as Kevin McStay swims to native shore

And so the time has come for Kevin McStay to manage his native county.

Exactly eight weeks on from James Horan stepping down, the Mayo board ratified McStay's appointment on Monday evening.

It's a four-year term for the new management ticket that also includes former county boss Stephen Rochford, respected coach Donie Buckley, Liam McHale, who worked alongside McStay with St Brigid's and Roscommon, and the former Belmullet and Breaffy manager Damien Mulligan.

On paper, it's an impressive ticket; Rochford and Buckley's presence giving it added weight. The other candidates - Ray Dempsey, Mike Sloan and Declan Sloan - also had some stellar names on board - but in the end McStay's pitch ticked the most boxes.

"All four candidates were impressive but Kevin carried that extra bit," said Mayo GAA chairperson Séamus Tuohy.

"No doubt he does bring a very impressive team behind him. With his experience at inter-county level, it does count and the people he brings with him bring a lot of experience.

"It was an arduous process but we are confident we have chosen the best person for the job. Kevin has a proven track record with both Roscommon and St. Brigid's GAA club and he brings a wealth of experience to the position.

"Overall they're a very impressive outfit and it has to be good for Mayo GAA going forward."

During his time as an analyst on The Sunday Game, McStay often referenced Mayo's ability "to keep coming back" in the face of agonising defeats - those All-Ireland near-misses or the frustration felt at losing that semi-final replay to Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds.

This year's championship exit was different, however. There was sense that Horan's squad were running on dirty petrol even before they took on Kerry. The atmosphere for that