Galway hurling dispute drags on as mediation fails to reach a solution

Delegates heard the mediator’s report on the controversy which has been dragging on for nearly six weeks after the players declared a vote of no confidence in Cunningham.

It was a suprising development as Galway had reached two All-Ireland finals under Cunningham and he had just been ratified for a fifth year in charge.

A mediator was brought in to help broker a compromise, but delegates heard his efforts were unsuccessful and that that there was little prospect of reaching an agreement.

Another Galway County Committe meeting has been called for Monday night when delegates are expected to vote on whether Cunningham should remain in his post.

As removing the current manager will take a two thirds majority and some clubs were ‘unimpressed’ with the extent of the players’ grievances on Wednesday night, Cunningham’s prospects of staying at the helm appear brighter.

After Wednesday night’s meeting, the following statement was released: “The Galway County Committee met last evening to discuss the full background of the current impasse between the 2015 senior hurling panel and the senior management team and to hear the outcome of the mediation process.

“The mediation process has concluded and the Independent Mediator has determined that despite best efforts there was little, if no, possibility of the parties reaching common agreement on the substantive issue.

“At this stage all reasonable efforts have been made to resolve the impasse. The County Committee will meet again on Monday evening next, November 16, to make a decision on the matter.

“All of us appreciate how difficult this situation has been, not least for our players, the management team and their families. We are hopeful that the matter will be concluded on Monday next so that we can begin to rebuild and look to the hurling season ahead with confidence.”