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James Horan (born 1972) is a Gaelic football manager and former player. He is the two-time former manager of the Mayo county team.

Horan led Mayo to consecutive All-Ireland SFC finals during his first spell in charge with a return of two defeats: in 2012 by Donegal and in 2013 by Dublin. He also led Mayo to consecutive All-Ireland SFC finals during his second spell in charge, again with a return of two defeats: in 2020 by Dublin (the fourth final Mayo had lost to Dublin in eight years) and in 2021 by Tyrone.

Career

Horan experienced a successful playing career at club level with Ballintubber and at inter-county level with Mayo. He was a key member of the half-forward line on the latter team throughout the 1990s and collected three Connacht titles and two All-Star awards in 1996 and 1999. Immediately after retiring from inter-county football, Horan became involved in team management. He was appointed manager of his native club, Ballintubber, in 2007 and guided the team back to the senior ranks and to a senior championship final after three years in charge.

Horan was appointed manager of the Mayo senior football team in October 2010 on a three-year term. Mayo lost the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final to Donegal. In October 2012 he agreed a new two-year extension to his contract. Mayo qualified for the 2013 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final after defeating Tyrone in the semi-final. Mayo lost in the final for the second year in a row, this time to Dublin on a 1–14 to 2–12 scoreline.

On 30 August 2014, following a semi-final replay defeat to Kerry, Horan resigned as Mayo manager. In his first interview after stepping down, Horan showed his frustration by lashing out at the Mayo County Board.

On 4 October 2018, Horan returned as Mayo manager on a four-year term. A 2022 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final exit to Kerry was followed within hours by Horan's resignation as manager.

References

1. "Horan relishes new task". Hogan Stand. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
2. "James Horan handed Mayo job". RTÉ Sport. 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 1 October 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
3. "Mayo to back down over Horan's demands". Irish Independent. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
4. "Horan handed Mayo contract extension". Irish Examiner. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
5. "A cool head for the hot-seat". Irish Examiner. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
6. "Dublin win 2013 All-Ireland football final". The Score. 23 September 2013. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
7. Crowe, Dermot (31 August 2014). "James Horan decides to step down". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
8. Clerkin, Malachy (15 September 2014). "James Horan hits out at Mayo county board". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
9. "Back in charge! Horan returns as Mayo appoint new senior football manager". The 42. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
10. "James Horan resigns as Mayo boss following quarter-final loss". RTÉ. 27 June 2022.
11. "Kerry glide past Mayo in humdrum quarter-final". RTÉ. 26 June 2022.

• All Stars Awards winners (football)
• 1972 births
• Living people
• Ballintubber Gaelic footballers
• Connacht inter-provincial Gaelic footballers
• Gaelic football forwards
• Gaelic football managers
• Mayo inter-county Gaelic footballers
• New Zealand Gaelic footballers