Anthony Cunningham departs with blistering denunciation of players

Anthony Cunningham's departure as Galway hurling manager was always likely to be fractious given his desire to remain in the position and the refusal of players to engage with attempts at mediation.

Even so, his statement of resignation – “with the best interests of Galway hurling in mind” – is a ferocious broadside at the team, who voted ‘no confidence’ in him, a vote he considers “a kangaroo court decision”.

Describing the players as "misguided" for not taking "the view of the county on board," Cunningham, who in his four years took Galway to two All-Ireland finals and a Leinster title, said that the lack of confidence was unreasonable in those circumstances - "… how else could we have reached a winning position in an All-Ireland final last September?"

“I consider this a kangaroo court decision, led by a core group of players orchestrated with the help of others outside Galway, motivated by a desire to unjustly extend their lifespan as inter-county players, placing personal agendas above the greater good of Galway hurling.”

The reference to outsiders is presumed to refer to the role of the Gaelic Players Association, which is known to have advised the Galway hurling panel throughout the impasse.

“This goes to the very core of what our association stands for – there is national danger now that the democratic and voluntary ethos of the GAA is being overrun by groups of players that wish to indulge in the selection and termination of management.

“Galway hurling is bigger than any one individual and given that this current impasse shows no immediate sign of abating, I reluctantly conclude that it is best that I now step aside.”

Deep conviction

The statement concludes: “I hold a deep conviction that the current Galway management team is the one best positioned to deliver Galway hurling to the next level and bring All-Ireland senior hurling success to our county.

“I thank my family, my management team colleagues and their families for their support, and I am very sensitive (to) the hurt they have endured in the recent past. I salute the county officials and officers and numerous volunteers who have given me magnificent support over the last five years.”

The decision by Cunningham brings to an end a long-running dispute that has caused divisions in the county. As early as last May players had voted ‘no confidence’ in the management but the problems were addressed at the time.

News that there had been another vote of dissatisfaction came just after Cunningham had been reappointed and although it was maintained that the manager knew of this when accepting re-appointment, it was strenuously denied that this had been the case and it was reported that when he had offered his resignation to players before ratification took place, that offer had not been accepted.

A mediator was appointed but the process abandoned because of lack of engagement. Galway’s county committee was scheduled to hold a special meeting on Monday, which was, in light of events, called off at which to discuss the impasse but it was known that afternoon before the county’s hurling committee held its meeting, that Cunningham was considering his position and his resignation was tendered in advance.

His position had become even more difficult on Sunday when the hurling panel voted by 26-6 to express no confidence in Cunningham and in a supplementary vote, by 23-9 that they would not play for him were he to be re-endorsed by Monday’s county committee meeting.

That would have required a two-thirds majority as it would have been a reversal of a previous decision.

There is sympathy for Cunningham within the Galway hurling committee, many holding the view that the players’ issues haven’t been adequately explained.

Galway will now have to seek the appointment of a new manager. The county's season begins in earnest next year with a home match in the Allianz Hurling League against Cork – a county that has been through similar player uprisings in the past 13 years – on 14th February.

Selector

Among the names being speculated on is

Mattie Kenny

, who worked as a selector with Cunningham in the All-Ireland under-21 success in 2011 as well as in the first two years of senior management. Kenny has led Dublin champions Cuala to this month’s Leinster club final.

In the meantime Galway are due in Boston this weekend to play a Super 11s format match against Dublin in Fenway Park. Cunningham’s decision to step down clears any ambiguity about that trip, which goes ahead in his absence.