Galway to consider recall of Farrell

THE NEXT 72 hours could be vital for the future of Galway hurling. Tomorrow's county board convention is expected to discuss the situation following on the resignation of Frank Burke from the selection committee while the monthly meeting of the hurling board on Monday night will also discuss the matter and call on the team manager Mattie Murphy to report on his plans for the rest of the year.

The reason has not been given for Burke's resignation but it is believed locally that relations between him and the other two selectors, Murphy and Jarlath Cloonan, were strained.

Burke has made it known to friends that he decided to stand down now rather than later so that a new selector could be put in place before the resumption of the National League.

There have been continuing problems in regard to the managership and selectorial set up in Galway and talk of dissent among some of the players. Several clubs are also reported to be unhappy and generally there is unrest in hurling circles.

There may be limited opportunity for the county convention to debate the issue but the hurling board meeting on Monday night need not have those restraints, and pressure is expected to be put on Mattie Murphy to head off the criticisms which have been widespread.

There is a school of thought which seems to favour the recall of Cyril Farrell, who has had two successful periods with the team and who is now in charge of the under 21 side. Some appear to believe that he be willing to take responsibility for both teams provided he was assured of unanimous support within the county.

Another possible team manager would be John McIntyre, the former Tipperary player, who has been living and working in Galway - he is a journalist with the Connacht Tribune - for many years and has been a successful manager with club sides.

One complication has arisen in regard to Mattie Murphy's position insofar as he is also a candidate for the secretary's position on the county board, a position held by a former hurling selector, Bernie O'Connor. Murphy has indicated locally that he believes he could combine the two.

On the weekend playing front, interest in Dublin's fortunes with their "thirds" team will focus on Gorey today when they meet the home side in the semi final of the O'Byrne Cup. Their victory over Carlow last Sunday suggests that some mice are willing to play while the cats are away.

Tomorrow, there are three National League matches representing unfinished business before the break. The abandoned match between Monaghan and Mayo in the third division goes ahead in Scotstown while in the fourth division, Wicklow are at home to Limerick in Aughrim and Dr Cullen Park stages the game between Carlow and Longford.

In the McGrath Cup, Tipperary are at home to Kerry in Ardfinnan and Waterford entertain Cork in Lemybrien.

Roscommon entertain Leitrim in Hyde Park and Galway meet Sligo in Dunmore in Connacht.