Shefflin departs Galway after three seasons

Henry Shefflin has left his role as Galway senior hurling manager after three seasons.

Hurling’s most decorated player led the Tribesmen to All-Ireland semi-finals in 2022 and 2023 but this year was disappointing after they failed to qualify from the Leinster Championship round-robin.

The narrow loss to Limerick two years ago was a bright start for Shefflin in his first season in inter-county management but they went on to lose by nine points to the same opposition 12 months later, despite having been six ahead after half an hour.

Defeat to Dublin this year saw Galway’s summer end in late May, with the Kilkenny great moving on from the job today.

The Ballyhale man was initially appointed on a three-year term, which was extended last summer until the end of 2026, but following the loss to the Dubs he said that he had always intended to “reassess” the situation after three seasons.

Galway GAA chairperson Paul Bellew thanked Shefflin for his time in charge.

“Henry has driven the highest standards possible during his tenure and left a lasting positive impact on our playing group and on Galway hurling. His mentality and will to win remains unmatched and the group will reap the benefits of this,” he said.

“We also want to thank and acknowledge the massive contribution of Richie O’Neill, Damien Joyce, Kevin Lally and Eamon O’Shea and the wider background team for their efforts during Henry’s term.”

A process to appoint the next Galway manager will be put in place shortly, the county board confirmed.

Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals, Kilkenny v Clare (3pm on Saturday on RTÉ One) and Limerick v Cork (4pm on Sunday on RTÉ2). Both games available on RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1