Former Galway boss Mattie Murphy and Sean Stack have ruled themselves out of the running to succeed Noel Lane as Galway senior hurling manager.
The race is set to come to a head next week with Meelick-Eyrecourt's Brendan Lynskey, a former All-Ireland winner and U-21 manager, as well as Gerry Fahy, Lane and clear favourite Conor Hayes now in contention.
Former Clare half-back Stack had been an outside bet following his creditable work on the club scene in Tipperary while Murphy has already been in the position.