As expected Alan Mulholland was ratified as Galway senior manager by the Galway Football Board on Monday night.
Mulholland won an All-Ireland minor medal at number six in 1986 under John Tobin and played regularly on the Galway senior side from 1987 until 1997. He also represented Ireland in the international rules series. He has been handed a three-year term. After the rapid exit of Galway’s two previous managers it is highly probable he will be allowed see out that term at the very least.
Mulholland will be joined by Donal Ó Flatharta (An Spidéal ) and Alan Flynn (Tuam Stars ) as his two selectors.
The Salthill man is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.
“I am delighted and honoured to take on the senior manager’s job. It will take time and patience and we know there are many challenges ahead. It is a very time consuming role, but we are very much looking forward to getting stuck into it,” he says.
“We hope to build on what we have at senior level and balance the experienced members of the squad with some new panel members over the coming months.”
One massive advantage with the board’s appointment on this occasion is that Mulholland and his selectors know most of the younger players in the county through his role as minor and u-21 manager over the past few years.
“We are keeping an open mind on new players and developing Galway football and Galway footballers in the longer term. There is no quick fix. We know that.
“We will be keeping a very close eye on the upcoming games at all grades, including the junior and intermediate finals on Sunday to see if new players show up. We are excited by what lies ahead and we will be doing our best to make a success of the job.
“We will be looking to improve our performances at senior level in the first instance and, if we get some good results along with those performances, then so be it. However, developing what and who we have at our disposal is the immediate priority.”
