Boyle Says McHale Comments About Mayo GAA Departure 'Unnecessary'

Colm Boyle says Liam McHale's comments about why he left the Mayo GAA football management team were "unnecessary".

McHale told Ballina Community Radio recently that a difference in opinion between him and the other four members of the backroom team regarding the style of football Mayo should play led to him departing.

McHale said manager Kevin McStay, along with Stephen Rochford, Donie Buckley and Damien Mulligan, had a "totally different philosophy on how this team should play".

"It was interesting," Boyle said on the Mayo Football Podcast about the interview.

9 April 2023; Mayo manager Kevin McStay, centre, with assistant manager Stephen Rochford, left, and selector Liam McHale during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Mayo and Roscommon at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Colm Boyle Responds to McHale's Comments About Mayo GAA Departure

"There are two ways you could look at it. Some people would look at it and say, 'Jesus, it's great that he came out and said something and we're getting a bit of information about what he thought'.

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"I wouldn't be thinking that. I just think it's a bit unnecessary really. And I know he was doing an interview on local radio but really, at a time when there's nothing happening nationwide, national media are looking for any bit that they can cling onto, and you're putting out comments like that, it just brings Mayo into the headlines in August when there's no real need to be."

10 August 2019; Niall Scully of Dublin in action against Seamus O'Shea, left, and Colm Boyle of Mayo during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Dublin and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Boyle, who retired two years ago after a 14-year inter-county career with Mayo GAA, added: "It's a strange one because especially that relationship he has with Kevin, obviously they're good friends and brothers-in-law, I just don't know was it the right thing to do.

"In fact, I don't think it was the right thing to do because it just brings a bit of negativity about the place. And I know his comments, he throws out about how the lads weren't buying into his philosophy. I know he wasn't pushed on it [by the interviewer], but it's an easy thing to throw out there and it's probably a small bit vague as well really. What is your philosophy?

"It's okay talking about it but what is your philosophy when Louth put 15 men inside your 45 in Castlebar? Or Cork doing it down in the Gaelic Grounds, what are you thinking then? Or what would you have done differently?"