GAA:SLIGO FOOTBALL has received a huge boost with manager Kevin Walsh – the red-hot favourite to take over his native Galway following Joe Kernan's resignation – committing himself to the Yeats County.

His decision will come as a huge blow to Galway who had been expected to target the double All-Ireland winner following Kernan’s surprise departure earlier this month less than a year into the job.

Walsh has made huge strides with Sligo since taking charge of the county team two years ago and next season they will compete in Division Two of the National League after picking up the Division Four and Division Three titles in successive years.

The former All-Star said he was honoured to be associated with the vacant manager’s position in his native Galway but that his commitment was with Sligo.

“It’s a work in progress with Sligo at the moment. We have made a lot of progress in the past two years but we have more to do and my commitment is with this group of players at the moment.

“The decision to stay with Sligo was made weeks ago but I needed to be sure that all the backroom team was in place before confirming and that has now happened.

“It’s a big honour to be associated with the job in Galway but all of us in Sligo have made a huge effort in the past two years and we need to give that every chance of moving on to the next level,” said Walsh, who won All-Ireland senior medals with Galway in 1998 and 2001.

Walsh’s selectors Paul Taylor, Paul Durcan and Dessie Sloyan have also committed to stay on and their reappointment was due to be ratified by the Sligo County Board last night.

Walsh’s decision to stay with Sligo – beaten in the Connacht final by Roscommon after knocking both Mayo and Galway out of the championship – will be a big disappointment for Galway fans.

Walsh said it would be an honour to manage his native Galway at some point and said that he was anxious to clear up misleading media reports that there was some animosity over the Galway minor manager’s job a couple of years ago.