Ó Flatharta reluctant to end Galway involvement

Tomás Ó Flatharta says that it was 'with extreme reluctance' that he accepted the decision of the Galway GAA clubs to end his term as the county's senior football manager.

Ó Flatharta's term lasted less than 12 months, with his involvement brought to a close at a meeting of the Galway County Board last night.

Under the Kerryman, Galway were relegated to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League after winning just one of their seven matches. They were beaten by Mayo and Meath in this summer's Championship.

In a statement released this afternoon, Ó Flatharta explained that he was informed by Galway Football Chairman John Joe Holleran last Wednesday that his services were no longer required.

"Last Wednesday, John Joe Holleran indicated to me that I no longer had his support or that of the executive for continuing in my role as Galway manager," he said.

"It was confirmed to me this morning that the decision was ratified at a meeting last night.

"I don't want to become a focus of discontent or to cause dissent about the process by which that decision was arrived at. For that reason and with extreme reluctance, I accept the decision."

Ó Flatharta had high hopes of Galway staying in the top flight of the league and challenging for Championship honours, especially with a number of their All-Ireland Under-21 winners pushing through into the team.

Despite it being a frustrating season for the seniors, he reckons that the underage talent can get the Tribesmen back at the top of the football tree in years to come.

"When I was appointed last year I set out with a plan. A key part of that plan was building relationships with other sectors of the GAA in Galway, and in particular focusing on the development of younger players.

"As part of this, I developed a working relationship with the Under-21 management, resulting in the integration of a large number of U-21 players into the senior set-up, which will show positive results in the next number of years.

"Already, ten of this year's U-21 team have been integrated into the senior panel. The promise is there - the U-21s won the All-Ireland title, the minors are in the All-Ireland semi-final and St. Jarlath's reached the All Ireland Colleges Final. Galway will again become a force in the GAA."

He also commented on his management style and relationship with the players, and highlighted the fact that it is difficult for a manager to make a difference in just a season. His predecessor Joe Kernan also lasted only a year out west.

"My management philosophy has always been based on the principles of player involvement, building a game-plan by consensus, regular feedback and putting the team before the individual.

"This involves empowerment and players' input into the process. This was beginning to work in Galway and despite media speculation during the early stages of my tenure, I've had a positive relationship with all of the players and this continued unchanged.

"This approach cannot guarantee instant success. Look at, for example, the situation in Roscommon and Kildare in year one of a new manager taking over.

"In Galway, performance on the field, particularly in the Connacht Championship, did not always match my expectations or those of the players. There were, however, clear indications at the latter stages of the league and in the Championship game against Meath of substantial improvement.

"Hence my conviction that, over the three-year period, I would absolutely have brought long overdue success to the Galway football team."

Ó Flaharta ended his statement by wishing the Galway team well in the future and thanking his backroom team, which included selectors Seán Óg de Paor and Martin McNamara, for their involvement.

"I hope they achieve that success and I wish the team well. I also want to thank my back-up team for their unstinting support during my time in Galway."