Joyce to remain as Galway football manager until 2028

Padraic Joyce is to remain in charge of the Galway footballers after agreeing an extension to his managerial term that will take him up to the end of the 2028 season.

Should the Killererin man see out the agreement, it would mean the former two-time All-Ireland winner as a player with the Tribes will have completed nine seasons in charge of his native county.

Joyce's current three-year term doesn’t elapse until the end of next season, but he has been offered and accepted an extension of a further two years.

However, it is being reported that coach John Divilly, part of Joyce’s backroom team from the start, has decided to step away.

Joyce succeeded former team-mate Kevin Walsh for the 2020 campaign and immediately stated that anything less than delivering Sam Maguire would be a "failure".

Galway have twice reached deciders on his watch, with Kerry getting the better of them in 2022, despite a virtuoso performance from Shane Walsh on the day, while there was bitter disappointment last season when Armagh prevailed by the bare minimum.

The Tribes have reeled off the last four Connacht titles, and hopes within the county that they could take the final step this year came crashing down when they suffered a surprise All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Meath.

Afterwards Joyce wouldn’t be drawn on whether he would step away from the hot seat.

"Whatever will be will be," he said, but has now committed again in his attempt to deliver an All-Ireland for his native county.

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

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

On the field, Joyce was a crucial player in a successful period for the Tribesmen, playing a significant part in All-Ireland victories over Kildare (1998) and Meath (2001).

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