End Of The Line

Date Published: 18-Sep-2008

GER Loughnane’s days as Galway senior hurling manager appear to be numbered in the wake of what has all the hallmarks of an orchestrated heave against the former twice All-Ireland winning Clare team boss.

Under pressure to be ratified for a third year in any event after not delivering the anticipated success since his whirlwind appointment in September of 2006, Loughnane’s hopes for an extension to his sideline tenure in Galway have now come under a new threat.

In a dramatic development, former eighties All-Ireland heroes, Joe Cooney, Steve Mahon and Michael Coleman have joined forces with ex-Offaly supremo, Michael Bond, in putting themselves forward as an alternative team management . . . but the indications are that they will not be having the election field to themselves.

A letter, signed by all four individuals, was delivered to the Hurling Board office in Galway City last week which indicated their interest in forming a new senior team management despite the fact that there is no vacancy . . . yet! It is believed that they also indicated their desire to work with Board officials in the appointment of a physical trainer.

Though some observers believe that Bond and his high profile team have ‘jumped the gun’ and are compromising the process of the ratification of Loughnane, it is understood this grouping does have the backing of…