Former Mayo manager James Horan revealed he had to get police assistance after receiving hate mail during his time in charge of the county.
Horan stood down in 2014 after their All-Ireland semi-final replay with Kerry but had previously led his side to four successive provincial titles and two All-Ireland final appearances.
Recently departed Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice also suffered from personal abuse and Horan shared his experience of receiving hate mail.
“Absolutely [I received hate mail] and in considerable amounts,” Horan told OTB.
“After defeats – and particularly in championships – it can be very raw for some people. It can be related to players from certain clubs that aren’t playing and there’s a club member who’s disgruntled as a result.
“With the forums and social media it is so easy to get messages across but it’s a different sort of level when someone sits down and writes some very harsh stuff.
“It is something that impacts you for sure and in Eamonn’s case as well with a young family."
Eamonn Fitzmaurice also received abuse before leaving his Kerry post. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
Horan also discussed the severity of the letters he personally received and the need he felt to contact the authorities.
“The first few you would thinking back on it,” Horan added.
“I got the police involved with some of those. I brought it to the attention of the guards and that’s really what you need to do with some of those.
“Some of them would be very concerning without going into what they were. You needed to go to the appropriate authorities with it.”
James Hopper
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