Murphy quits Galway race

MATTIE MURPHY has withdrawn from the race to elect a new Galway hurling manager after his nomination as Galway hurling manager was controversially rejected earlier this week.

He has issued a statement claiming that the rejection occurred because of “sustained pressure from a vocal minority.”

Murphy was the preferred candidate of the special committee set up to select the new hurling manager, but his appointment was not ratified at a hurling board meeting last Tuesday. He said he had allowed his name to be put forward on the understanding that the selection process had changed, with the committee being given the role of selecting the person most suitable from those nominated by the clubs. He said the method used in the past, which involved canvassing clubs and delegates, was “divisive and not in the best interests of Galway hurling.”