GAELIC GAMES/MANAGERIAL MOVES:GALWAY MANAGER John McIntyre will remain in charge of the Tribesmen next season and, unlike his predecessors, will not have to run the risk of going before hurling board delegates for ratification.
The Galway hurling board decided last year – before McIntyre was appointed – that the new boss would be given a two-year term and would not have to be ratified at the end of his first season. The decision was taken after a litany of Galway managers found themselves booted out after going before hurling delegates looking for a seal of approval.
Galway hurling board secretary John Fahy confirmed that McIntyre will be charge next year when he hopes to build on the progress made since taking over from Ger Loughnane last year.
“John signed up for a two-year stint last year and will continue on this year, no questions asked,” said Fahy.
“Unlike previous years his position does not need to come before the hurling board for ratification as a new policy was voted in last year,” said Fahy.
The Galway official said that significant progress had been made and it was hoped this could be taken further next season.
“I am delighted with this year’s progress. But I am equally disappointed that we didn’t kick on and reach the semi-final stages. We played a lot of games this year.
“Some fans would have seen up to 15 competitive matches, which is huge. We have come on in leaps and bounds without a doubt,” added Fahy.
Meanwhile, Liam Sammon looks set to stay on as Galway football manager – but it will be next month before he is rubber-stamped for a third year in charge.
The former All-Ireland winner completed a second year as Galway boss when they were knocked out by Donegal in the All-Ireland qualifiers, with Sammon indicating a willingness to complete his three-year term.
But it will be September before the Galway football board will meet to ratify the manager for the 2010 season.
Galway football board secretary Séamus O’Grady confirmed that the manager has to be ratified each year.
“The decision won’t be made for a while yet. It has been put on hold for a while until everyone returns from a break and the club championship is almost completed.
“Liam has a three-year contract that has to be ratified each year. Obviously everyone won’t be happy with this year, but I cannot see any reason why he wouldn’t complete his term,” said O’Grady.
Sammon took charge two years ago when he took over from Peter Ford and led Galway to a Connacht final win over Mayo, only for their arch rivals to gain revenge this year.
“We were happy with the overall level of football, but we are desperately disappointed not to make the quarter-finals. But the buck stops with the board.
“It is no harm to have the security of a ratification process there should either party want to make a change. The option is there for everybody and I cannot see that changing in the foreseeable future,” added O’Grady.
Meanwhile, manager John O’Mahony has made just one change to his Mayo side for Sunday’s All-Ireland SF quarter-final against Meath from the one that beat Galway in last month’s Connacht final. The right corner back slot is taken up by Donal Vaughan, who came on for Liam O’Malley the last day.
MAYO (SF team to play Meath at Croke Park, on Sunday): K O’Malley; D Vaughan, G Cafferkey, K Higgins; P Gardiner, T Howley, A Moran; D Heaney, R McGarrity; P Harte, A Dillon, T Mortimer; A Kilcoyne, B Moran, A O’Shea.
