O'Neill is Galway's inside man. But just how valuable is his intel?

Much-travelled coach rarely burned a bridge but his exit from Mayo left a bad taste. Now Galway hope his insight into the psyche of James Horan's side causes further hurt

Strong personalities: Cian O'Neill and manager James Horan during their time working together with Mayo in 2012. Photo: INPHO/James Crombie

Last week, before Leitrim played London in the Connacht quarter-final, Cian O’Neill sent Andy Moran a text to wish the Leitrim manager all the best. O’Neill has always maintained a good relationship with Moran since he coached him with Mayo ten years ago but if Galway win on Sunday in Castlebar, O’Neill will be able to pass on those good wishes to Moran in person on the sideline before the Connacht semi-final.

Coming up against old friends has become a common theme and ritual for O’Neill because of how often he has run into them from his time on the inter-county circuit. This is O’Neill’s 17th consecutive season coaching an inter-county team, three of which were as manager of Kildare. Having spent that unbroken sequence with Limerick, Tipperary (hurling), Mayo, Kerry, Kildare, Cork and now Galway, meeting old friends is just an inevitable pattern for O’Neill to follow.