Byrne denies Cunningham quit claims
Galway Hurling Committee Chairman Joe Byrne has spoken out about reports suggesting that Galway hurling manager Anthony Cunningham offered his resignation following last month's Leinster SHC final defeat to Dublin.
Cunningham was appointed on a three-year contract in October 2011, but will not be ratified for the third and final year of the term until a scheduled review by County Board officials is completed.
While Cunningham, Mattie Kenny and Tom Helebert guided the Tribesmen to a first Leinster title and an All-Ireland final appearance in their debut season, the 2013 Championship was a forgettable one for them as they lost their provincial crown and their All-Ireland hopes were ended recently by Clare.
They also had to scrap to avoid relegation from Division 1A in the spring and the manner of their 2-25 to 2-13 loss to Dublin at Croke Park last month was a huge disappointment all round.
However, speculation that Cunningham threatened to step down after that game has been 'categorically refuted' by the county's hurling chief Joe Byrne.
"That was never brought to my attention. I never got word of anything like that after the Leinster final. I can categorically deny that," Byrne told the Irish Times.
"When Anthony was appointed two years ago it was for a three-year term, with a review scheduled to be heard after the second year. All we are doing is implementing that process. It has not been prompted by anything that happened in the last six months.
"I have not spoken at length to Anthony since the Clare game, but he understands that the review has to take place.
"The review will look at all aspects of the senior team, from the performance of the manager in the last two years, to losing out this year. It has already started but it could take up to a month to finish."
Cunningham suggested that Galway 'didn't get the breaks' they deserved when reflecting on the season in the aftermath of the All-Ireland quarter-final reversal to Clare in Thurles.
"I think if people could see the disappointment in the dressing room, among the players and everybody there, they'd really rally around this team. They are young guys, they are amateurs and they have to accept some criticism," he told the Connacht Tribune.
"Some players' form goes down. There was huge expectation. Had we got over today we could have kicked on. There's every chance that Clare could go all the way.
"The All-Ireland is wide open. Clare wanted it a bit more today than we did. We didn't get the breaks, this year we didn't get the breaks that we deserved."
