Last night it was officially confirmed that Mickey Graham will be joining Galway as part of Padraic Joyce's coaching staff.
Earlier in the summer Graham was announced as Leitrim manager, but just two months into the job, he stepped away due to personal reasons.
Now a few months later, the cavan native has joined another Connacht side, and it has left a bad taste in some people's mouths.
Some are accusing the 2020 Ulster title winning manager of bonding his responsibilities with Leitrim whenever a higher paid job came available.
However, in an interview with The Irish Examiner, Galway chairperson Paul Bellew insists that they never approached Graham while he was in charge of Leitrim.
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“We are fully aware of how it looks. From our perspective to be categorical about it from the outset, coaches move around. Pádraic would never target a manager from another county.
"We wouldn’t stand over it. As a county chairperson or a management committee. We know how it will be interpreted.
"Mickey’s availability had nothing to do with the coaching vacancy in Galway."
Others certainly don't see it that however, as former Leitrim star Emlyn Mulligan made his feelings very clear on social media.
"Firstly, letting Andy Moran leave was the biggest mistake the county board could have made. Then not advertising the job and having this mentality of ‘Mickey or no one’ has really shot them in the foot.
"Huge set back but good riddance to him. Our players deserve better."
Firstly, letting Andy Moran leave was the biggest mistake the county board could have made.
Then not advertising the job and having this mentality of ‘Mickey or no one’ has really shot them in the foot.
Huge set back but good riddance to him. Our players deserve better🟢🟡
— Emlyn Mulligan (@emlynmulligan) October 22, 2024
Former Donegal hero Eamon McGee also weighed in, replying to a tweet where someone said that Graham simply left his job for a bigger one.
"Exactly and that reflects terribly on Mickey Graham. It’s a wild stunt to pull.
"If it’s true then it’s one of the worst I’ve seen. The optics of it are so bad there has to be more to it."
There's no question that it looks bad, but Galway insist that it was all done above board and have also added David Morris on to the coaching ticket.
