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Former Armagh All Ireland winning manager Joe Kernan met with officers of the Galway county board last night as the odds shortened on his prospects of becoming Liam Sammon’s successor.
Kernan is the highest-profile candidate in the running for the post — indeed, several are understood to have dropped out when he confirmed his interest — and the county board is believed to be ready to ratify his appointment.
Kernan’s meeting last night with Galway officials centred on issues involved in his possible appointment and there is already considerable euphoria within the county that he can bring it our of the All Ireland wilderness.
Galway’s loss to Mayo in the Connacht final earlier in the summer proved to be a bitter pill to swallow and worse was to come when they bowed out of the All Ireland Qualifiers.
At the start of the year, Galway were being tipped as dark horses in the All Ireland title race but in the event they under-performed.
They have not claimed Sam for eight years, John O’Mahoney masterminding their 2001 All Ireland title coup having previously supervised their 1997 triumph.
Now the county board sees Kernan as a messiah — and the Crossmaglen man is certainly enthusiastic about the possibility of taking over the reins.
“I think there is a great depth of talent in Galway. They appear to have a number of young players coming through strongly and I certainly would relish the prospect of working with them.
“I am waiting to see what happens.
“I must say I find it a bit strange to be in the field for a post outside Armagh but I can adapt to that,” said Kernan.
If he is confirmed in the Galway post, Kernan is expected to assemble a strong backroom team and seek a healthy budget from the Galway board to ensure that no stone is left unturned in what will be a concerted drive for success.
While in charge of Armagh, Kernan insisted in obtaining only the best for his players in terms of playing gear, medical facilities, accommodation, fitness amenities, nutritional and dietary needs and travel plans.
When Armagh headed off to Malaga for a week of warm-weather training prior to the 2002 All Ireland campaign it was a ground-breaking exercise which has since been copied by many other counties.
