New boss Donoghue has depleted squad for Walsh Cup opener

AS the dust settles on a turbulent off-season in Galway hurling circles following the players’ heave against former manager Anthony Cunningham, a new era gets underway when newly appointed senior boss Micheál Donoghue takes charge of his first competitive game at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday (2pm).

Facing DCU in the Walsh Cup is a low key start for Donoghue and his backroom team, which will be officially unveiled tonight (Thursday), but given the 2015 Galway squad only returned from their team holiday in Dubai earlier this week, that may not be a bad thing.

Indeed, going to press, the Galway manager was still ascertaining how many of the side that lost out to Kilkenny in last September’s All-Ireland final will be available – due to a number of players tied up with their colleges and several more carrying injuries.

“When you look at last year’s squad and see who is involved and who is missing through colleges and lads carrying injuries, you are down 15 or 16 players,” noted Donoghue. “So, we have to add in players. What we are saying to lads is that for the duration of the (National) League it is an open panel.”

Among those unavailable for the defending champions’ Walsh Cup opener are All-Star goalkeeper Colm Callanan (Australia), Conor Cooney and Dean Higgins (both injured), and the two Mannions, Padraig and Cathal, and John Hanbury who are tied up with their colleges for the Walsh Cup.

Consequently, 10 players have already been brought into the fold, with some of those sure to see action on Sunday. “We have called in additional players,” confirmed Donoghue. “As I said, with lads injured and having college commitments we are down on bodies.

“I am happy enough though with the lads we have brought in. I am not meeting the 2015 players until Thursday night so in terms of announcing those names it wouldn’t be fair until the rest of the squad return and they get to meet them and get to know them.”

The next 10 days is sure to a hectic period for the management and the players, who are already behind many of their rivals in terms of their pre-season training due to the prolonged managerial fall-out in October and November.

It meant their first game against NUI Galway was deferred to next Wednesday evening – Duggan Park (7pm) – which in turn, has resulted in the squad having to play three games in a week, beginning with the DCU clash this Sunday.