Galway battling claims of discontent as two quit panel

GALWAY football was last night battling reports of discontent in their ranks after co-captain Kieran Fitzgerald and midfielder Niall Coleman quit the panel.

Manager Tomás Ó Flatharta, along with the two players, denied there was anything suspicious about their decisions to make themselves unavailable for the rest of the season.

Fitzgerald, who attended the Allianz League launch two weeks ago, cited a recurring hamstring injury as hisreason for dropping out while Coleman blamed work commitments.

However, it is understood the pair have become disillusioned with morale in the camp.

In last Sunday week’s Allianz defeat by Monaghan, Fitzgerald was taken off at half-time while Coleman under-performed following his introduction midway through the second-half. Irish Examiner columnist and former Galway All-Ireland winning captain Ray Silke claimed it was more than coincidental the two players made their announcements so close to one another.

“It does seem strange that two experienced players should now decide to leave the panel,” he said.

“After Declan Meehan’s retirement, they will be missed but that might not be the end of it. Damien Burke might not return to the panel and there are still doubts about Nicky Joyce coming back.

“Niall Coleman’s reasons are understandable and Kieran Fitzgerald has given so much to Galway football but deciding to leave the panel after playing in a league game less than two weeks ago is unusual.

“The mood in the county is less than optimistic. The fact that we don’t even have a sponsor reflects just where we are.’’

Ó Flatharta yesterday attempted to calm the waters.

“Of course it is a big disappointment to lose two such fine players but both Kieran and Niall felt it was the best thing to do. I have made it clear to them that the door is always open if their situation changes but for now we will have to concentrate on who we have and continue to work hard.”

Fitzgerald, 30, who was corner-back on the Galway team which won the 2001 All-Ireland title, said a persistent hamstring injury would not clear up.

“I’m playing in pain most of the time. I had a scan after Christmas and it did not look good and I just could not see a situation of making a commitment to play inter-county football and sort out the injury. It is not a decision taken lightly. Tomás made me one of the three captains this year and that was a great honour but I feel the best thing at this stage is to go back to the club and see where it all goes to.”

Coleman, a self-employed carpenter, said that he found it impossible to combine work and inter-county football.

“I’m busy at work at the moment which is great given all that is going on. But I’m finding you have to put in more hours just to keep going and that means football is being affected. There is no point in half-doing either of them and that’s why I feel it is best to step back. My work situation could change in a few months but for now I need to try make the best of it.”