Forde brings big guns into Galway football set-up

New Galway football manager Peter Forde, working closely with the county board, has drafted in three highly regarded selectors. Recently retired senior player Jarlath Fallon, Frank Broderick and Ciarán Ó Flatharta have all been all added to the three-year ticket.

Forde has never worked with any of the above, but knows Fallon and Broderick well from his playing days.

Fallon won All-Ireland medals under the reign of John O'Mahony in 1998 and 2001, is still playing senior football with Tuam Stars and doubled up this year as an advisor for the county minors, who won the Connacht championship. He is expected to continue playing club football in the coming year.

Broderick is currently managing Claregalway and is highly thought of throughout Galway after leading his club, Annaghdown, to two county titles in recent years.

Ó Flatharta keeps up tradition as he is the Ghaeltacht representative on the management ticket. He won an All-Ireland minor medal in 1986 and was also involved with the minors this year, as a selector.

"Ciarán is from Leitir Mór in the Ghaeltacht. There is a big area of Galway in the west, with all the Ghaeltacht clubs and so on we need a representation from there. There's a lot of clubs back that side. It's important that was done," said Forde.

No fitness trainer has been named yet, with Forde keen to allow his selectors a hands-on role in training.

"They are not so much selectors as all part of a management team. We will all be involved in the training. Ja is obviously very gifted at that, and Frank has plenty of experience as well. We only came together as a group yesterday (Tuesday) so we are yet to explore all those options."

Fallon, in particular, will have a large say in affairs due to his relationship with the senior players in the panel. His presence may also tempt some with two All-Ireland medals in their pocket to stick around for a couple more championship campaigns.

"I think that is important," continued Forde. "He knows what makes them tick, having got to know them over the years. That's a huge advantage to me in terms of saving me time getting to know them. He will be a step ahead of me for a while."

Meanwhile, Paraic Treanor has been appointed manager of the Ulster Women's Football champions Monaghan.