| James Horan | |
| Irish: | Séamus Ó hÓráin |
| Occupation: | Process Quality Manager |
| Birth Place: | New Zealand |
| Sport: | Gaelic football |
| Code: | Football |
| County: | Mayo |
| Province: | Connacht |
| Club: | Ballintubber |
| Clyears: | 2007–2010 |
| Clposition: | Centre forward |
| Counties: | Mayo Mayo |
| Icyears: | 2010–2014 2018–2022 |
| Icposition: | Left half forward |
| Icprovince: | 5 |
| Icallireland: | 0 |
| Nfl: | 1 |
| Allstars: | 2 |
James Horan (born 1972) is a Gaelic football manager and former player. He is the two-time former manager of the Mayo county team.
Horan led Mayo to consecutive All-Ireland SFC finals during his first spell in charge with a return of two defeats: in 2012 by Donegal and in 2013 by Dublin. He also led Mayo to consecutive All-Ireland SFC finals during his second spell in charge, again with a return of two defeats: in 2020 by Dublin (the fourth final Mayo had lost to Dublin in eight years) and in 2021 by Tyrone.
Horan experienced 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 football, 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.[1]
Horan was appointed manager of the Mayo senior football team in October 2010 on a three-year term.[2] Mayo lost the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final to Donegal.[3] In October 2012 he agreed a new two-year extension to his contract.[4] Mayo qualified for the 2013 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final after defeating Tyrone in the semi-final.[5] Mayo lost in the final for the second year in a row, this time to Dublin on a 1–14 to 2–12 scoreline.[6]
On 30 August 2014, following a semi-final replay defeat to Kerry, Horan resigned as Mayo manager.[7] In his first interview after stepping down, Horan showed his frustration by lashing out at the Mayo County Board.[8]
On 4 October 2018, Horan returned as Mayo manager on a four-year term.[9] A 2022 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final exit to Kerry was followed within hours by Horan's resignation as manager.[10] [11]