Sudden Galway GAA exit 'big surprise to team' as unsung hero leaves

The Galway senior football team are set to lose a big part of their backroom team as coach John Divilly is stepping down., reports the Irish Examiner.

Dublin-born Divilly has been at Padraic Joyce's side since he took over in 2020.

Padraic Joyce is set to continue as Galway Senior Football manager after he agreed a three-year extension to his term as manager.

If Joyce sees out his contract extension it will mean that he has been in charge of the Tribesmen for nine years.

A statement from Galway GAA read: "Following tonight’s County Committee meeting, Galway GAA have extended Padraic Joyce’s term as Senior Football Manager until 2028.

""Details of the backroom team will be finalised in due course."

Galway chairperson Paul Bellew says Pádraic Joyce is the right man to go after the inches his side need in their quest for All-Ireland glory, reports the Irish Mirror.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM, Bellew pointed to Joyce’s stellar record in the Connacht Championship and how close the Tribe have come to bridging a gap to their last All-Ireland, going all the way back to 2001.

Double All-Ireland winner Joyce has been Galway senior manager for six years with his latest term - if he sees it out - taking that stint to nine seasons.

The longest serving inter-county football manager in the country is Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney (11 seasons), while London’s Michael Maher has been in charge for six years.

Galway have come agonisingly close to landing the Sam Maguire, losing All-Ireland Finals to Kerry (2022) and Armagh (2024).

“We have lost four Championship games in four years,” said Bellew. “We have lost every single one by one single point.

“That shows the level we are at, where Pádraic Joyce and his management team have brought this group and where they have brought themselves.

“We are going for five Connacht titles in a row - two All-Ireland final appearances in that period - and the only ambition left is to get over the line.

“There is no doubt about that. Yes, we have the players. Yes, we have the squad. I think our results determine that.

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“I think we will learn and adapt a lot. But we are in a good position. We are at the top of the tree.

“We need to improve the inches at the end of it and no better man than Pádraic to lead that.”

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