Dialled-in Harte part of Donoghue's management team

Former Galway defender Aidan Harte will be part of the new senior hurling management team.

Limerick’s Cian Lynch with Galway's Aidan Harte in 2020. Pic ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

 

Michéal Donoghue has confirmed former Galway defender Aidan Harte will part of his new senior hurling management team.

Earlier this week, Donoghue’s long-standing selectors Francis Forde and Noel Larkin were confirmed as well as Eamon O’Shea who was part of Henry Shefflin’s set-up this past season.

Revealing Gort man Harte’s inclusion on Galway Bay FM’s “Hurling Chat”, Donoghue said of his 2017 All-Ireland SHC winner: “He’s a top guy. Over the last few years, he’s forged his own career in coaching. He’s been with Clare U20s, he’s been with Crusheen, he’s made a huge mark with them.

“As soon as I met him and had a chat, we had him at ‘hello’! He’s so dialled in and we’re delighted to have him on board. He’s going to be class.” 

Speaking about O’Shea, who had Donoghue as part of his Tipperary set-up in the mid-2010s, Donoghue said: “Since then, he has been an unbelievable mentor (to me). I broke his heart don’t know how many times trying to get him in for a session during the week. He’s been brilliant. It’s taken me about 10 years to get him.” 

Meanwhile, Galway chairman Paul Bellew says the senior county sides could play Allianz League games under lights in Salthill in 2025. However, the construction work required may force this year's county senior finals to be switched to other venues.

“It’s only right that we do have it for a county of our size but obviously there have been factors in the past that we can’t control,” remarked Bellew. “The tender was awarded in the last week or so.

“So, it’s just a cooling off period of that being informed and all going well the lights work will start towards the end of the year. I’m not saying definitely but may have a spin-off effect in the stadium so we may have to move county finals to Tuam and Athenry.” 

Bellew continued: “Our ambition is the lights will be up by Christmas, active by early January. We will be looking to have league games (under lights) both hurling and football in the stadium.

“It would be great to get night-time games in Salthill to bring people along and atmosphere. The facts back up that you’re going to have 30% to 35% more of a crowd for a Saturday evening game than a Sunday afternoon. We have seen that ourselves when we’ve gone to Cork and Limerick and gone to play Mayo in football.” 

* The full Michéal Donoghue interview can be accessed on Galway Bay FM