Galway allow Murphy time

Galway minor hurling manager Mattie Murphy may not be in charge when the underage side go in search of an historic third successive All-Ireland title next season.

Murphy, who also managed Galway when they won the 1992 and 1994 minor titles, has told the Galway Hurling Board that he needs time to make a decision on his future involvement.

The only Galway team to win three All-Ireland titles in a row was the senior football side of the 1960s, who won the Sam Maguire Cup in 1964, '65 and '66.

Four years ago a minor side captained by Ger Farragher were beaten in the final by Cork as they tried to win a third title on the trot. Farragher was poised to become the first person since Jimmy Doyle in 1957 to win three minor medals, but they were thwarted by the Leesiders.

That honour could now fall to Joe Canning, brother of senior player Ollie, but whether Murphy is still in charge remains to be seen.

"He has asked for some time to reach a decision," said Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahey. "He has done a wonderful job with them over the past few seasons."

Murphy, who has had two spells as Galway senior team manager, is due to retire from his job as a national schoolteacher later this year.

Meanwhile, Vincent Mullins will again be in charge of the Galway under-21 side as they try to retain their All-Ireland crown next season. The Ardrahan clubman, who led them to last month's one-point victory over Kilkenny, has accepted the post for another season.

Elsewhere, the extraordinary general meeting of Roscommon County Board, scheduled to look into the board's financial crisis, finally looks set to go ahead next week.

The egm has been postponed on a number of occasions but it has been pencilled in for Wednesday, October 12th.

At least two clubs in the county are expected to table motions of no confidence in the executive of the board, but it is not yet clear if these will be ruled in order on the night.

The board's €1.4 million debt came to light earlier this year, and at the weekend local businessman John Murphy handed over a €1 million interest-free loan to ease the burden.