Kevin McStay has revealed that losing out on the Mayo job back in 2014 left him deeply hurt at the time.

Having led St Brigid’s to All-Ireland glory the previous year, McStay was thought to be the only candidate for the post after James Horan had stepped down following his team All-Ireland semi-final replay defeat to Kerry.

However, days after McStay had interviewed for the job, Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly were announced as joint managers for the 2015 season.

Speaking on Off The Ball, McStay revealed how he had been told by friends a day after the interview that he would not be getting the job and said that it had been “a very difficult time” for him personally.

“The interview I did, perhaps, I might have been too honest at it,” said the Mayo legend and former Roscommon boss. “When I say the interview, it wasn’t really an interview because I had the job, because I was the only candidate.

“Yet, 24 hours after that interview, one or two friends of mine in Mayo were able to tell me ‘you are not going to get the that job’.

“That there are other people who are in the race but not saying it. That was very disappointing for me.

“People I knew, that I had had played with, was on panels with, were saying publicly that they had no interest in the job and were actually talking about the position while I thought in my head that I was actually crossing Ts and dotting Is.”

He added: “I have a sense that perhaps at the meeting I said too much in terms of what my vision for the team was. That there might have to be some changes, and that was leaked to certain players. I would say that that was an issue.

“It was a very difficult time for me personally. I had put all my hopes and dreams on [that job].”

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