Introduction
James Horan (born 1972) is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. As a manager, he led Mayo to two All-Ireland finals with a return of two defeats: in 2012 by Donegal and in 2013 by Dublin.
Career
Horan enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Ballintubber and at inter-county level with Mayo. He was a key member of the half-forward line on the latter team throughout the 1990s and collected three Connacht titles and two All-Star awards in 1996 and 1999. Immediately after retiring from inter-county activity Horan became involved in team management. He was appointed manager of his native club, Ballintubber, in 2007 and guided the team back to the senior ranks and to a senior championship final after three years in charge.
Horan was appointed manager of the Mayo senior football team in October 2010 on a three-year term. Mayo lost the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final to Donegal. In October 2012 he agreed a new two-year extension to his contract. Mayo qualified for the 2013 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final after defeating Tyrone in the semi-final. Mayo lost in the final for the second year in a row, this time to Dublin on a 1–14 to 2–12 scoreline.
On 30 August 2014 following a semi-final replay defeat to Kerry, Horan resigned as Mayo manager. In his first interview since stepping down he showed his frustration by lashing out at the Mayo County Board.