GALWAY hurling appears to have finally put behind it the ructions of recent weeks. Last night, in Athenry, manager Mutt Murphy named his third selector - to replace Frank Burke who had resigned last month - and staved off the possibility of a motion of no confidence.

The new selector is Michael Fogarty, who was ratified by the county hurling board. Fogarty was a selector of the 1983 minor team which won the All Ireland and served in a similar capacity with the 1991 under 21s who also became All Ireland champions, under management of Jarlath Murphy's other selector, previously served as a selector for Cloonan when he was manager of the senior team.

Paul Halloran was also confirmed as the team's physical trainer - a role he has been exercising recent weeks.

The arrangement was thrashed out on Wednesday night in a meeting between Murphy and officers of the hurling board. It was accepted in Galway yesterday that the mood within the county was reluctant to stage a coup, particularly as the players haven't been agitating for a change of manager.

On Monday night, the hurling board treasurer, Tom Lenihan, proposed a motion of no confidence in Murphy. It was deferred until last night and dropped in the aftermath of Fogarty's appointment. Lenihan remains as treasurer, although be has been unhappy with the role of the supporters' club, particularly in respect of the recent players' holiday about which Lenihan is said not to have known.