Yesterday, the news broke that the Galway hurlers were in revolt against their manager.
Considering that less than a month ago, Galway led Kilkenny by three points at half-time in an All-Ireland final, most outsiders found the news utterly baffling. It was speculated that they were emboldened by the revolt in the Mayo dressing room that did for the Holmes/Connelly ticket.
However, in a detailed article in the Sunday Times today, Denis Walsh reports that it is not the first time the Galway players had expressed a lack of confidence in their manager. It is not even the first time this year.
And Galway has abounded with rumours since the All-Ireland defeat.
Since that loss, rumours have floated around suggesting that there was some sort of dispute in the dressing room at half time in the final.
In the days following the defeat, one of the Galway players is alleged to have left a facebook status update (subsequently deleted) thanking family and friends for their support but mocking Cunningham.
In 2015, Cunningham has been subject of two votes of no confidence - one in May and another last weekend.
Walsh reports that the Galway players first confronted Cunningham in the aftermath of this year's League, which ended with a limp performance away to Waterford in Walsh Park.
Following that loss, the Galway players held a secret ballot among themselves posing the question - 'Do you believe this management team can help us win the All-Ireland? 27 of the 30 players answered No.
They held back from a heave on the grounds that they were only four weeks out from the championship. Instead, they presented him with a list of grievances. Bugbears included the quality of the coaching, ineffective match-day strategies and what they regarded as Cunningham's poor man-management and communication skills.
Last Saturday (eight days ago), more than 20 members of the Galway hurling panel met in a gym in Clarinbridge. In the meantime, Galway had reached their second All-Ireland final of Cunningham's reign. He is the first manager since Cyril Farrell to take Galway to a second final. He can also point to his success in guiding Galway to the U21 All-Ireland in 2011 as evidence of his managerial capabilities, not to mention his exploits as a football manager, winning the Connacht club title with St. Brigid's in 2006 and Garrycastle to the Leinster club title in 2011.
Officially, the players gathered in Clarinbridge to discuss the team holiday. In reality, they were there to discuss the team management. According to Walsh, 'on a show of hands, they voted almost unanimously in favour of change'.
Sports journalist Maurice Brosnan understands, however, that there is a strong minority in favour of Cunningham, though it is unknown how many of them were at the meeting in Clarinbridge.
Told what happened at half-time in final had massive influence on Galway hurlers decision. Also that 'strong minority' support Cunningham.
— Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) October 4, 2015
This was conveyed to Cunningham on Sunday.
The following day, Cunningham was ratified for a fifth season as Galway manager. As Walsh wrote, the meeting proceeded 'as if nothing had happened.' As if the players hadn't told him the previous day that they didn't want him to continue.
The meeting was routine and placid until one delegate asked at the end whether Cunningham was sure the players were behind him. According to Walsh's sources, the question made Cunningham's face turn red.
It is hard to work out where Galway stand now. The Galway players have twice informed Cunningham that they didn't want him to continue. The second of these meetings occurred last Sunday. And yet, he was still appointed for another year on Monday.
Read more: Connacht GAA Could Be On The Verge Of Another Revolution As Trouble Brews In Galway
