Micheál Donoghue steps down as Galway manager

Galway hope to have a new hurling manager in place by the beginning of October, according to county chair Pat Kearney. Speaking on RTE radio’s Morning Ireland, he was reacting to the overnight news from Micheál Donoghue that he and his management team and selectors Noel Larkin Francis Forde are to step down.

Thanking them “for their contribution since taking up the position in late 2015,” he paid tribute to what they had achieved.

“We were unlucky enough in 2016, beaten by a point by Tipperary, the eventual champions and who will ever forget the fantastic victory in ‘17, bridging the long gap and the joy that brought to Galway people at home and abroad?

“Last year we came up one point short against Limerick and this year injuries and that meant that things didn’t go as well as Micheál and the lads wanted and everyone expected so we have to accept his decision. He has put huge effort and huge personal commitment into this with a young family.

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“We have thanked him for his efforts and that’s where we are.”

He added that he hoped the county would “be up and running” with a new manager in place by the start of October.

Micheál Donoghue informed Galway Bay FM late on Tuesday that he had let the county board know of his decision to step down after four years in charge.

The news was unexpected given that his term had been renewed earlier this year. His management team and selectors He leaves the most significant legacy of any Galway hurling manager in the past 30 years, having led the county in to its first Liam MacCarthy Cup since 1988 in 2017. He was named Philips Sports Manager of the Year in recognition of the achievement.

In a statement, he told the local radio station that he felt the time was right to go.

“We started out in December 2015 with the simple goal to bring success back to Galway hurling and to build a culture of professionalism and consistency in performance. Since then we have had some amazing days most notably the 2017 All Ireland success.

“After four seasons we feel the time is now right to hand on the opportunity to a new management team.”

Having reached last year’s final, Galway went out of this year’s championship in a shock early departure after losing to Dublin in Parnell Park, a result that combined with the Wexford-Kilkenny draw to eliminate Galway on scoring difference.

This year had already been difficult with a groin injury to key player and 2017 Hurler of the Year Joe Canning keeping him out for most of the championship.