McIntyre appointed for two year term

Date Published: {J}

STEPHEN GLENNON

Galway senior hurling manager John McIntyre has been reappointed for another two-year term, with an end of year review to take place upon the conclusion of the 2011 All-Ireland senior hurling championship.

Confirming the reappointment at a monthly meeting of the Hurling Board last Tuesday evening, Chairman Joe Byrne indicated that the decision to retain McIntyre as senior boss was important for the continued stability of Galway hurling.

“John gave a very open and frank manager’s report at a recent meeting and he answered a number of constructive questions from the floor,” said Byrne. “On foot of that, John McGann, John Fahey and I also met with John to discuss a number of issues.

“We were happy with those discussions, so we then proposed that he be elected for another two-year term. Obviously, there were a number of issues that needed to be discussed while a number of recommendations were also made to him under the player development programme.”

While Byrne did not go into the details of those discussions, he did add: “What we did discuss, however, were such issues as strategic plans and the implementation of the player development programme, which is hugely important for us going forward.”

Under the initiative, it is hoped to formulate a cohesive approach that will see players, from U-16 upward, to not only fulfil their potential, but also to develop into inter-county senior players.

“We have to acknowledge that there are deficiencies in our minor and U-21 players and that is leading to problems at senior level. The player development programme will hopefully address some of those deficiencies and that gets underway in the next month.

“So, it is fundamental the Galway senior hurling manager is part of that process. It is a big challenge for us to bring our younger players through into the senior set-up, so we are trying to put a programme in place that will progress young players from U-16 through to minor through to U-21 and, eventually, to senior. So, it is a joined up approach involving all stakeholders in Galway hurling.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.