James Horan rules himself out of Galway senior football job

FORMER Mayo senior football manager James Horan has ruled himself out of taking charge of the Galway senior footballers.

Horan was speaking on the Irish Examiner Podcast alongside Maurice Brosnan and Paul Rouse. Last week, the Ballintubber clubman was priced at 5/1 to become the next Galway senior football manager, but he put an end to that speculation this week.

Cathal Clancy has brought Horan into the Moycullen senior football backroom team this season, with the former Mayo manager involved in a coaching capacity with the reigning county champions. His presence at a Galway club had led to hopes among supporters that it might spark an interest in a return to inter-county management.

When asked would he be interested in taking charge of Galway, Horan said: “Will I be the next Galway manager? No, would be the answer. It will be a fascinating job for sure, Galway is a serious county,” said Horan on the Irish Examiner podcast.

The former Mayo manager believes the intensity of inter-county management, coupled with the toll of being involved with Galway for seven seasons, may have been a factor in Padraic Joyce’s decision to step down.

“I would say it is nothing but general fatigue and energy. That’s Pádraic Joyce’s reason for leaving. Seven years. I did four years and left in 2014 absolutely in pieces physically, mentally. I had a young family and would have loved to stay on but just couldn’t,” added Horan.

Mark McHugh also ruled himself out of running for the Galway job after he was re-appointed Westmeath manager on Thursday. Galway GAA are inviting nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Galway Senior Football Manager.

Nominations may be submitted through clubs, with the consent of the proposed candidate. Expressions of interest may also be submitted directly and in confidence to [email protected]. The closing date for receipt of nominations and expressions of interest is Friday, 18 September.