Galway legend Walsh steps down as Sligo boss

Dara Bradley

FORMER Galway midfield legend Kevin Walsh has stepped down as manager of his adopted county, Sligo, after five years at the helm.

The Killanin man announced his decision to the players on Sunday following the Yeats County’s 0-15 to 0-8 defeat at the hands of Derry in round one of the qualifiers.

Walsh, a two-time senior All-Ireland medal winner, was under severe pressure following the county’s unexpected loss to London in the opening round of the Connacht championship earlier in the summer. His decision to step aside after this latest seven points defeat was not unexpected.

Despite former Sligo player Éamonn O’Hara taking a major swipe at him in the Sunday Game following the loss to London, Walsh’s reign as Sligo manager was, for the most part, a positive period for football in the county.

He twice guided Sligo to promotion in the National League and brought them to two Connacht finals, although Walsh will admit that they should have won at least one of them, probably in 2010 when they beat the ‘big two’ Galway and Mayo only to get caught on the hop in the decider against Roscommon. His dual role as Sligo junior football manager also saw him guide the county to Connacht and All-Ireland success at that grade.

Elsewhere over the weekend, London’s incredible championship run continued on Sunday with a win over Leitrim in the Connacht semi-final replay.

The exiles, whose squad includes several Galway natives including Paul Geraghty (Glenamaddy), Damien Dunleavy (Kilkerrin/Clonberne), Eoin O’Neill (Renvyle) and Mark Gottsche (Oranmore) against all the odds have now qualified for a Connacht final against Mayo in a fortnight. London led by 2-10 to 0-2 at half-time and survived a rousing Leitrim comeback to win by one, 2-11 to 1-13.