It's down to four in race for big hurling job
FORMER Galway senior coach John Hardiman and Johnny Kelly, this year's U-21 boss, have withdrawn from the race to become the next Galway senior hurling manager while, in camogie, double All-Ireland winning senior manager Tony Ward has stood down from the post.
Hardiman, who recently guided Sarsfields to the county senior championship title, and Kelly, who led Coolderry to Offaly glory this year, were two of six candidates nominated for the position of inter-county hurling manager but both have informed the County Committee that they are withdrawing from the process.
In addition to his recent county title success, Hardiman had led the Galway minors to All-Ireland titles in 1999 and 2000 and later served as senior coach under John McIntyre’s regime between 2009 and 2011.
With interviews now to take place for the role in the coming days, this leaves Michael Donoghue, Mattie Kenny, Justin Campbell and Gerry McInerney to battle it to become Anthony Cunningham’s successor.
Meanwhile, Galway camogie manager Tony Ward, who has the distinction of being the only man to lead the county’s senior team to titles in 1996 and 2013, has admitted the spark was just not there to continue as senior boss for a fifth consecutive year.
“I suppose, this time last year I couldn’t wait to get going in the (National) League but it just wasn’t happening this year. The buzz just wasn’t there for me. I think it is a good time for someone new to come in,” said the Sarsfields man.
“I think we brought them on. We were knocking on the door for an All-Ireland and we brought them over the line. Some of the people I had in with me though were brilliant people. In 2012 I had Declan Walsh, Sharon Glynn and James McGrath from Tipperary and they were fair workers.
“Both Sharon and James then moved on and Liam Hodgins and Orla Watson came in. I probably have never worked with a better trainer than Liam Hodgins,” praised Ward, who departs having left Galway camogie is a very strong position.
In addition to claiming the county’s second All-Ireland senior title in 2013 – Galway also secured the All-Ireland intermediate crown on the same day – the Tribeswomen won the National League title under his stewardship earlier this year before Cork turned the tables on them in the All-Ireland senior decider.
Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune.