O Flatharta raring to go
“It is a demanding role but one I am looking for to it,” he said. “I amfortunate that I have understanding employers who were very helpful to me for six years when I was withWestmeath.
“I feel very privileged to be managing Galway. They have a great tradition and I am really looking forward to the challenge,” added O Flatharta.
He claimed the first priority would be to put his backroom team in place and then look at assembling a squad for the 2011 season.
“I will be looking for people who have experience of dealing with teams, that have respect within the game and that are willing to work as part of a unit.
“We all have a lot of learning to do. We have to look at the way we play, and we have to look around thecounty for more players, find them and, if they are good enough, give them a chance. Galway have a tradition of playing great, open football. The style of play I like is an attacking style, but you have to take other styles of play that have emerged in recent years into account as well. We have a good bit of learning and improving to do,” said the new Galway boss.
Meanwhile, double All-Ireland winner in 1987 and ‘88, Liam Harnan, has emerged as the front-runner for the vacant position of Meath senior football manager.
The former centre back, who played his club football with Moynalvey, guided Skryne to a first county SFC title since 2004 this year, defeating favourites Seneschalstown in the final.
Although Harnan stepped down from the position of Meath U-16 manager a few weeks ago following a disagreement with the county board management, he is reported to be the number one choice of the same body.
Harnan is giving the job “serious consideration,” adding that seeing plenty of club football in the county over the last few years could be ofbenefit if becoming the Royals’ fourth manager since Sean Boylan stepped aside in 2005.
Interviews are due to begin tomorrow night with Eamonn Barry, who held the position for one term in 2006, and former Louth boss Paddy Carr, who is currently in charge of Kilmacud Crokes, expected to make themselves available.
Seneschalstown manager Damien Sheridan, father of county forward Joe, is another expected to state his case to the interview trio of county chairman Barney Allen, 1988 all-Ireland winning captain Joe Cassells and Liam Keane chairman of the Central Hearings Committee.
Carr’s Kilmacud will meet St Brigid’s in the Dublin decider with former Meath midfield ace Gerry McEntee closely involved with the Blanchardstown outfit. McEntee has ruled himself out of the Meath job as has another All-Ireland winner of the ‘80s, Colm O’Rourke.
Senior boss for the last two years Eamonn O’Brien, who received a vote of no confidence at last month’s county board meeting, is unsure whether to make himself available for interview after being nominated by some clubs.
