Huge Coup For Galway GAA Club As Former Mayo Boss Joins Team

With GAA club championships now underway around the country, there have been some hugely intriguing additions to both playing and coaching ranks for many teams. One Galway team has benefitted in both regards, with their latest new face coming in the form of a high profile Mayo coach.

It is always interesting to see what club transfers take place ahead of championship, with the 2026 season being no exception. Dublin club Castleknock have brought in a couple of former Mayo stars, with 44-year old Conor Mortimer also making a club switch this year.

Galway Champions Moycullen are another club who have benefitted from the transfer portal. They brought in former Leitrim and Cavan goalkeeper Niall O'Donnell, while Antrim's Owen Gallagher also returned to the club after a spell elsewhere.

It seems as though they have now also made a big name coaching addition.

Mayo's James Horan added to Galway club ticket

As reported by the Connacht Tribune, Moycullen have added former Mayo managed James Horan to their coaching ticket as they bolster their attempt to retain their Connacht senior title.

Horan has kept a low profile in coaching terms since the end of his second stint with Mayo in 2022, but has now stepped into a new role in his neighbouring county.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune after a win over Dunmore MacHales, Moycullen player Owen Gallagher explained why the 54-year old has brought to the setup:

James Horan has been at the highest level of the game, highest level professionally; he knows about performance, he knows about football, he’s bringing a fresh pair of eyes.

We were county champions last year; you’re always looking to add something else, if you stay doing the same thing, every team will catch up to you; they’ll overtake you,” Gallagher told the .

It’s evolution not revolution as we always say, always trying to add another string to your bow. James Horan is that fresh pair of eyes from outside, something different.

He’s doing a lot of stuff with our attack , trying to develop that fast attack and I think we kind of showed that today in parts, in parts we were also sloppy. It’s trying to develop that with these new rules and the space, going direct and moving the ball and getting the head up.

Moycullen will be a formidable opponent in Galway and beyond

Adding a coach of James Horan's calibre would be a huge boost to any club, but his arrival in Moycullen will be particularly daunting for those in Galway and a bit further afield. They are looking to win their third county title in five years and would no doubt have their eye on another Connacht club title later this season.

They have started their title defence in an impressive fashion, securing eye-catching wins over both Dunmore MacHales and Naomh Aonna.

While retaining their Galway crown will be no easy task, few would bet against Moycullen have a deep run in their county and provincial championships over the remainder of 2026.

Click here to read article