Disagreement in Galway manager selection

There was a dramatic twist in the election of the Galway hurling manager last night when Mattie Murphy was chosen by the seven-man committee but then rejected by the hurling board that had set up the committee.

Hurling board secretary Phelim Murphy announced Murphy as the chosen candidate to take the helm, but Kinvara delegate John Burke proposed to reject the nomination, saying outgoing boss Conor Hayes should get another year in charge.

He was backed by St Thomas delegate Aidan Barrett.

Meanwhile, Turloughmore delegate Pat Moore proposed that Murphy's appointment should be ratified, saying the committee's conclusion had to be honoured.

The meeting was also told that Murphy had lined up former Galway stars Tom Helebert and Michael Coleman as his backroom team.

Hayes put forward Joe Cooney, Pat Malone and Seamus Coen as his selectors.

The issue now looks set to go back to the Galway clubs to come up with candidates, ensuring it will be weeks before the position is filled.