John Maughan has stepped down as manager of the Mayo Senior Footballers. The Westerners were knocked out of the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland SFC by Kerry at the quarter-final stage last weekend, and on Tuesday afternoon Maughan handed in his resignation.

He had agreed a three-year stay with the Westerners back in October, but despite having two years remaining he has decided not to stay on.

A Mayo county board statement read: “Mayo senior football team manager John Maughan has informed the Runaí of Coiste Chontae Mhaigh Eo that he has decided to step down as manager of the mayo senior team.”

Maughan had two spells in the Mayo hot seat. Firstly in 1996 he brought them to an All-Ireland final before Meath ended his fairytale start.

It was a similar story a year later when Kerry broke Mayo hearts.

He came into the job after bringing a Munster title to Clare in 1992 while at the Banner’s helm. Maughan’s first stint with Mayo ended in 2000, but he wasn’t long unemployed as he took charge of Fermanagh for a single term.

A three-year layoff from the intercounty scene ensued before he returned to Mayo and brought them to another All-Ireland final. But again the Kingdom ended Mayo dreams.

Speculation on who will fill the vacancy has begun. Tommy Lyons, who led Ballina Stephenites to All-Ireland club football glory on St Patrick’s Day, is being suggested as a possible successor. John O’Mahony is another possibility and a name that seems constantly linked with the post.