Galway legend Cyril Farrell believes that the man to replace Henry Shefflin as Galway's hurling manager is former Dublin manager and fellow Galway native Micheál Donoghue, and that is effectively done.
Galway and Shefflin parted ways after a disappointing Championship season, and Donoghue has since stepped down from his role with the Dublin team.
Donoghue has long been tipped to return to the Galway sidelines by many. His previous tenure in charge of the tribesmen lasted from 2015 to 2019. Galway qualified for the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling All-Ireland final and won the Liam McCarthy that year. This was the county's first title since 1988.
Farrell is confident that the deal to bring the Clarinbridge native back is already settled, as there appear to be no other contenders for the position.
"I think it’s a done deal. There doesn’t seem to be anyone else applying for it; no one is putting up their hand," Farrell said on the Maroon & White podcast.
"Micheál had a year left on his contract with Franny (Forde) and Noel Larkin in Dublin. They’ve now opted out of that final year.
"They did a good job up there. Dublin were happy with them, and I know they tried their best to hold onto them, but he has made his break. I would say it’s all the roads leading to Galway. It is his if he wants it."
Dublin , Ireland, August 19, 2018: Galway manager Micheál Donoghue and Joe Canning of Galway follow the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images) )This news coincides with a report from the Irish Examiner, which claimed that a new Galway manager would be announced on Monday, September 2.
"The search for Henry Shefflin’s successor is nearing a close, as Galway are expected to appoint a new hurling manager at a county board meeting on Monday, September 2," the Irish outlet reported on Tuesday.
"Shefflin departed at the end of the 2024 Leinster Championship after three seasons with Galway. Micheál Donoghue’s decision to step down as Dublin manager earlier this month has paved the way for him to return and take charge of his native county, with an announcement expected in two weeks’ time."
The Examiner also noted that the final declaration of interest for the position was due by the deadline, which just passed last Friday.
"The deadline for potential candidates to confirm their interest was Friday. News that Donoghue was leaving Dublin after two years fuelled speculation that the All-Ireland-winning manager was set to return to the job he lost in 2019. He had originally been appointed for three years in Dublin."
