Diane O'Hora looking forward to challenge with Mayo

Michael Bolton

A three-time All-Ireland winner with Mayo as a player, Diane O'Hora is one of the best players to play for her county.

Now, over 20 years later, O'Hora has gained plenty of experience as a coach and returns to where she earned her success as a player.

Once the opportunity came up to be manager of the Mayo ladies, it was one O'Hora was not going to let pass.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, the Mayo woman is excited for what awaits is in 2026.

"Knowing what it meant to wear the jersey, it is such an honour and a privilege. This is the biggest job I could ever dream of having, to be back in my home county.

"For me, when I started coaching with Brigid's with Roscommon and then moving to Longford, each step brought me forward, and I learned what to do.

"I learned what to do and not what to do. I made all my mistakes along the way, I am sure I will still make more now. I genuinely believe the time is right.

"I have always looked at this as a dream. If I went back four or five years in my coaching and management career, I probably wouldn't think I would have been qualified to take the role.

"When I saw the news that Liam McHale has stepped away, I certainly thought about it, and thought now is the time."

Last year was a difficult season for Mayo, as they just about avoided relegation to intermediate championship football, while they were also relegated to Division Two.

However, O'Hora has experience of bringing teams to new heights, turning Kildare into a senior championship and Division One side during her time in charge.

In what was a very young squad, O'Hora revealed some familiar faces could return to the panel, and said some time away could have benefited players.

"You are looking at a panel of players, some have been there for a number of years and took a step back, maybe taken a year or two off, and now they are back even stronger.

"Not to name names, but when you have played for a number of years, it just shows how healthy that break can be. When they come back in, and they are fresh, and they are hungry, and now is the right time in their lives, they feel ready for the challenge.

"When you have all those other circumstances, life circumstances right, as well as the talent coming from underage, we have got a really nice blend of players."

A new factor that will shake up next season is the new rules introduced for the first three rounds of the National League.

Some of the rules which were seen in the men's game include the kickout mark, the two-point scoring arc, the requirement to keep three players in the opposition half at all times, the solo and go, and frees being brought forward for tactical fouling or dissent from the sideline.

In what should make the game more open and exciting, O'Hora is looking forward to watching how they will play out.

"I really found I enjoyed watching the men's game this year than any other year.

"The speed of the game itself is going to be so exciting. Ladies' football in general, with all the research they have done, they are really looking for a more physical approach to the game.

"The ability to run the ball and transition more quickly, leaving players up, it is going to be so exciting to see that."

However, the Mayo manager is calling for consistency in how the new rules will be managed by referees.

"When I watched the All-Ireland finals last year, a player in a junior match would pull a jersey and get a yellow card for it.

"When you go to the senior game being refereed, there is pulling and dragging and hands in and all the rest.

"It would be good to get some clarity around that because you would really like to have consistency in how those rules are being executed, regardless of grade.

"Us in Division Two this year, whatever refs we get, that we know the same way the games will be refereed when we get into the senior championship."