The short-list of contenders for the Galway manager's job has been revealed. It is immediately apparent that they have no interest in looking beyond the county.
Inevitably, the two early favourites, Michael O'Donoghue and Mattie Kenny, have been nominated. O'Donoghue won an All-Ireland club title with Clarinbridge in 2011 while Kenny was an influential member of Anthony Cunningham's backroom team in 2012 and this year led Cuala to the Leinster Final.
But John Hardiman is emerged as a realistic alternative to the two front-runners. Hardiman led the Galway minors to successive All-Irelands in 1999 and 2000 and was involved with the county champions Sarsfields during their successful campaign this year. A well-timed run.
Perennial candidate Johnny Kelly is also among those nominated. Kelly managed the fabulously successful Portumna team of the late noughties and took charge of the U21 side this year. Like Kenny, he has just won a county championship in Leinster, helping Coolderry to victory in the Offaly final.
Justin Campbell, wing forward on the Galway side that reached the All-Ireland final in 1993 and did little thereafter, is also on the list. He is currently managing Roscommon.
Completing the list is a Galway hurling legend. Gerry McInerney guided his home club Kinvara to the county final in 2007, where they were slaughtered by a Portumna side in their pomp.
Paddy Power have installed Donoghue as 1/3 favourite for the role ahead of Kenny who is out at 5/2. McInerney is rank outsider at 14/1.
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