Anthony Cunningham steps down in Galway

Cunningham’s decision comes ahead of tonight’s county board meeting at which he was expected to be ratified for another term in charge, despite losing the support of the panel.

A last-ditch attempt to convene discussions between the hurlers and county officials failed last week and the controversy over Cunningham’s management had been set to go into tonight’s county committee meeting.

And with the players showing no signs of backing down, Cunningham has evidently decided his position had become untenable.

In a lengthy statement released this evening, Cunningham pulled few punches, stating that he believed he was forced out by a “kangaroo court” and describing the players’ stance as “misguided”.

“I consider this a kangaroo court decision, led by a core group of players orchestrated with the help of others outside Galway, motivated by a desire to unjustly extend their lifespan as inter-county players, placing personal agendas above the greater good of Galway hurling,” Cunningham stated. “This goes to the very core of what our association stands for.”

“There is national danger now that the democratic and voluntary ethos of the GAA is being overrun by groups of players that wish to indulge in the selection and termination of management” he added.

Galway are due to play Dublin in the experimental ‘Super 11s’ at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, November 22nd. An attendance of around 25,000 is expected and Galway have confirmed they will play the fixture although who will be in charge remains to be seen.

Anthony Cunningham Statement

“Despite the fact that I was unanimously ratified and supported by the Galway GAA clubs, the County Hurling and Galway County Committees and having reviewed the current impasse in detail over the past month, it is with great sadness tonight that I and my management team announce our resignation from our positions.

“I do so with the best interests of Galway hurling in mind and with the priority of best assisting Galway hurling to build on the achievement of 2015.

“As a management team we have exhausted all avenues with support from the clubs, their delegates, the hurling fraternity and County Committees in the past month to bring this impasse to a conclusion and protect Galway hurling. Despite extensive attempts at genuine dialogue including Independent Arbitration, there were no reasonable explanations offered or given as to the issues the players felt they had.

“I believe that the players are misguided in that they are not taking the view of their county on board. They, through their actions, have shown scant respect for, and loyalty to the goodwill shown to them by supporters, clubs and the county GAA committees and Management.

“I contend that it is unreasonable to express a lack of confidence in management - how else could we have reached a winning position in an All-Ireland final last September.

“I consider this a kangaroo court decision, led by a core group of players orchestrated with the help of others outside Galway, motivated by a desire to unjustly extend their lifespan as inter-county players, placing personal agendas above the greater good of Galway hurling. This goes to the very core of what our association stands for - there is national danger now that the democratic and voluntary ethos of the GAA is being overrun by groups of players that wish to indulge in the selection and termination of management.

“Galway hurling is bigger than any one individual and given that this current impasse shows no immediate sign of abating, I reluctantly conclude that it is best that I now step aside.

“I hold a deep conviction that the current Galway management team is the one best positioned to deliver Galway hurling to the next level and bring All-Ireland Senior hurling success to our county. I thank my family, my management team colleagues and their families for their support, and I am very sensitive the hurt they have endured in the recent past. I salute the county officials and officers and numerous volunteers who have given me magnificent support over the last five years.

“With disappointment and sincerity, Anthony Cunningham.”