GALWAY are on the look-out for a new manager after Henry Shefflin stepped aside after three seasons at the helm.
The former Kilkenny star, hurling’s most decorated player, led the Tribesmen to All-Ireland semi-finals in 2022 and 2023 but was unable to take the next step in the face of Limerick’s Championship dominance.
A narrow defeat to the Treaty in his first season in inter-county management hinted at brighter days ahead, only for Galway to lose by nine points to the same opposition 12 months later despite having been six ahead approaching half-time.
His final year in charge proved particularly disappointing as defeats to Wexford and Dublin saw the Tribe fail to make it out of the Leinster SHC round-robin.
Shefflin, who led Ballyhale Shamrocks to All-Ireland club glory in 2019, has long been viewed as possible future Kilkenny boss as the Cats bid to bring back the glory days enjoyed under Brian Cody.
For now, though, his time out west has come to an end.
“Henry has driven the highest standards possible during his tenure and left a lasting positive impact on our playing group and on Galway hurling,” said Galway GAA chairperson Paul Bellew.
“His mentality and will to win remains unmatched and the group will reap the benefits of this. We also want to thank and acknowledge the massive contribution of Richie O’Neill, Damien Joyce, Kevin Lally and Eamon O’Shea and the wider background team for their efforts during Henry’s term.”
A process to appoint the next Galway manager will be put in place shortly, the county board confirmed.
News of Shefflin’s exit came less than 24 hours after Davy Fitzgerald called time on his second stint in Waterford.
The Clare All-Ireland winner had another year left on his three-year term, but has decided to step down as the Deise begin the search to find a replacement.
Fitzgerald - who previously managed Waterford between 2008 and 2011 - returned to the post ahead of the 2022 season and guided them to memorable Munster Championship wins over Tipperary in 2023 and Cork at the beginning of the current campaign, though they failed to escape the province either time.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as manager of the Waterford senior hurling team,” he stated.
“I would like to sincerely thank the players for their efforts over the last two years. Just the tiniest of margins prevented us from making Munster’s top three this year and progressing to the 2024 All-Ireland Championship. It’s my firm belief that the talent is there for Waterford to compete strongly at hurling’s highest level again.”
A Waterford statement confirmed Fitzgerald’s decision, claiming his impact on the team had been “significant”.
