Out with the old, In with the new

As expected new Galway manager Anthony Cunningham has wasted no time in adapting a youth policy for his tenure in charge. Gone are stalwarths like Ger Farragher, Damien Joyce, Shane Kavanagh, Adrian Cullinane etc. These lads are taking the fall for Galway teams lacking the stomach for the fight in the past but some of the players kept on can count themselves very lucky indeed not to be joining them. Of the players dropped Shane Kavanagh is the only one who I can see making a return next Summer.

14 of the victorious U-21 squad have been drafted in to the Senior squad joining the 4 that were already there and going with the youth is the right approach for the new management setup to take imo. Lets face it, the others have had enough chances. Whether Cunningham can succeed where so many have failed before in transferring the success of underage sides to senior level remains to be seen but with fellas like Niall Burke, James Regan, Davy Glennon, Niall Donoghue, Paul Gordon coming through there is certainly some grounds for optimism. Even the most doe eyed Galway supporters appreciate that this is a process that will take time. Can Cunningham work the miracle? We shall see

OUT
Damien Joyce
Ger Farragher
John Lee
Joe Gantley
Adrian Cullinane
Shane Kavanagh
Alan Kerins
Donal Barry
Eoin Forde
Colm Callinan
Aongus Callanan

Retained (for now)

James Skehill
David Collins
Fergal Moore
Tony Og Regan
Kevin Hynes
Andy Smith
Cyril Donnellan
Enna Ryan
Damien Hayes
Joe Canning
Barry Daly
David Burke
Ger O Halloran
Johnny Coen
Ritchie Cummins
Iarla Tannian
Aidan Harte


In
Mark Lydon
Jamie Ryan
Conor Cooney
Davy Glennon
Deci Connolly
James Regan
Jason Grealish
Niall Burke
Brian Regan
Bernard Burke
Conor Burke
Donal Cooney
Donal Fox
Fergal Flannery
Niall Donoghue
Paul Gordon
Tadhg Haran
Paul Huban
Mark Horan
Brian Flaherty

Gaillimh Abú

Farragher, Kerins and Kavanagh should be the blocks to build on....Ye're fooked I'd say...Here's one for you oul' pal...

Kavanagh was average at best last season but he had excuses and he's worth another shot I'd say. His performances for relegated Kinvara didn't exactly inspire much either though so it's possible his best days are behind him. That said, he's ultra committed and certainly looks the most hard done by especially when you look at a handful or so of fellas who weren't culled.

Kerins does not have the time to commit to Inter County hurling anymore and the likes of Thomas Clarke would attend he's too old anyway.

Farragher is too easily bullied into submission, a lovely hurler but has gone missing too often when needed most and their are equally skillful hurlers coming through. He might come back into the reckoning yet if Joe Canning gets injured.

Great servants down the years but it's time for change