After five years at the helm, Kevin Walsh has stepped down as manager of the Galway football team.
He brought the Tribesman two Connacht titles as well as promotion to Divison One but after exiting the 2019 Championship in the round 4 qualifier versus Mayo, Walsh has left the role.
A hugely talented crop of young players will give the county cause for excitement and makes the next appointment crucial. Galway were All-Ireland minor finalists two years in a row and Connacht champions four in a row before that.
Their U20s were All-Ireland semi-finalists this year. At the same time, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh, Ian Burke, Peter Cooke and Michael Daly are all in their mid-20s providing a unique blend of current and future talent.
In a statement, Walsh predicted big things for the county: "We would like to thank the genuine Galway football supporters. Your passion for the maroon and white never went unnoticed.
"I emphatically believe that there are great things to come for Galway football."
Here are some of the names who could deliver it.
Padraic Joyce
The All-Ireland winning forward and current Galway Under-20 manager is the favourite for the role. Joyce would be a hugely popular appointment within the county given the regard he is held in thanks to his playing days. He knows the younger players having won the John Kerins Cup last June.
Stephen Rochford
Arguably the most qualified candidate linked to the role thanks to his work with neighbours Mayo as well as Galway club Corofin before that. However, the Donegal county board ratified their management for another season already last night and that included coaches Rochford and Karl Lacey which could complicate matters.
John Divilly
At the very least, you know Galway are spoilt for choice. Divilly has carved out a successful career as a Sigerson Cup manager with UCD and worked with the U20s this year. There is hope that he could form a part of the same coaching ticket as his former team-mate Joyce.
Kevin O'Brien
The man who led All-Ireland club kingpins Corofin to victory over Dr. Crokes earlier this year. The Galway side were a remarkably well-drilled and entertaining outfit under his watch. He has also previously worked as a selector under Rochford at the same club.
Further afield
There is no shortage of available candidates beyond the west with John Sugrue, Liam Kearns, Malachy O'Rourke and Jim McGuinness all currently available. "You would want to be getting someone in place by the middle of October in both codes," declared Galway County Board Chairman Pat Kearney on Galway Bay FM earlier today. Galway have had 'outside' managers in the past, such as Tomás Ó Flatharta and Joe Kernan.
Clubs within the county will have a say and are free to submit nominations for the role. With the hurling position also to be filled, it is set to be a busy few September for Galway.
