Kernan resigns in row over backroom team changes

GALWAY FOOTBALL:ATTEMPTS BY members of the Galway football board to alter Joe Kernan's backroom team is believed to be the reason for the All-Ireland winning manager with Crossmaglen and Armagh opting not to seek a second season in charge of the Tribesmen.

Galway suffered a disappointing first year under Kernan’s watch when they were knocked out of the Connacht championship after a replay against Sligo before Wexford beat them, at home, in the qualifiers.

Kernan was due to serve three years as he attempted to rejuvenate fortunes in his mother’s native county and was only formally announced as manager last September with widespread praise when he was paraded at Tuam Stadium before the county club final.

Kernan refused to comment yesterday but did submit a letter of resignation to the football board secretary, Séamus O’Grady, that was believed to have been relayed to the other members last night.

Galway are now seeking a fourth manager since 2007, with the current Sligo manager and former All-Ireland winning Galway midfielder, in 1998 and 2001, Kevin Walsh the initial favourite for the position.

It is not yet apparent if Walsh would be willing to leave Sligo after some decent progress these past two seasons although the current campaign did end abruptly with defeat in the provincial final to Roscommon followed by a loss to Down in the qualifiers just a few days later.

Galway players were in contact with each other since news of Kernan’s departure broke yesterday morning and while none of them were willing to discuss it on the record, until after last night’s meeting, they are believed to be angry with the outcome.

“We can’t keep changing managers every odd year and expect to win. Now it is a case of having to start all over again with a new man.

“Everyone was disappointed with the ways things went this summer and everyone just wanted to start getting things sorted for next year to make amends but this was not expected,” said one senior player.

Kernan had indicated following the championship exit to Wexford his willingness to stay on board provided one or two things were sorted out in the background.

He was keen to turn things around after a disappointing first year where his preparations were badly impacted by a series of injuries to key players in the national league campaign and championship.

At various stages Galway were without Pádraic Joyce, his cousin Nicky Joyce, captain Michael Meehan and Seán Armstrong – four first-choice attackers – for lengthy periods.

That led to an indifferent league campaign where eventually good wins over Tyrone and Dublin ensured they remained in Division One.

Pádraic Joyce’s contribution rescued them from a shock defeat against New York in their opening championship game, and while they staged a late rally to force a draw against Sligo, Walsh’s men beat them in the replay at Markievicz Park before Wexford ended their championship involvement with a surprise one-point win at Pearse Stadium the following week.

Now Galway delegates and officials will have to turn their attentions to finding a replacement for Kernan who took over last year from Liam Sammon, who was two years in the job, after he replaced Peter Ford following his three-year stint.