The Daily Star Ireland
Cillian O’Connor has decided to step away from the Mayo senior football team for the 2025 season, presenting an early challenge for Kevin McStay’s squad for the upcoming year. O’Connor, a two-time All-Star and the top scorer in championship history, recently informed McStay of his decision to take a break.
Although O’Connor, who is 32, is not retiring from inter-county football, he may consider returning in 2026. This season, O’Connor was not a regular starter for Mayo and was benched for their final two championship games—a group stage draw with Dublin and their subsequent exit against Derry in a preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final.
O’Connor’s absence is a setback for McStay, who is heading into his third season as Mayo’s manager without having advanced past the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.
