Six people have been nominated to take over from Anthony Cunningham as Galway senior hurling manager.
Former minor and U-21 manager John Hardiman has emerged as a serious candidate to challenge initial front-runners Micheal Donoghue of Clarinbridge and Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry’s Mattie Kenny, who was in charge of the Cuala side beaten in Sunday’s Leinster SHC club final.
Gerry McInerney, a former teammate of Cunningham in the 1987 and ’88 All-Ireland senior titles, as well as the 1983 minor and ’86 U-21 titles, has also been nominated.
Outgoing U-21 manager Johnny Kelly from Portumna, who guided Coolderry to the Offaly county title this year, has been nominated.
Roscommon manager Justin Campbell, a former All-Ireland club winner with his native Kiltormer in Galway, has also been put forward.
He will take charge of the Connacht team which participates in the inter-provincial championship which is being hosted by Galway at Pearse Stadium this weekend.