Shane O'Neill confirmed as new Galway hurling manager
Saturday 9 November 2019 08:10, UK
Galway have appointed former Na Piarsaigh boss Shane O'Neill as manager of their senior hurlers.
It was a long, drawn-out process since the departure of Micheál Donoghue on August 21, but the Tribesmen have eventually found their man.
Limerick native O'Neill becomes the first outside manager to take charge of the westerners since Ger Loughnane.
O'Neill led the Limerick city club to All-Ireland honours in 2016, and guided them back to the final two years later. He stepped aside following the club's 2018 final loss to Cuala after an epic replay.
The Tribesmen were the last remaining top-tier hurling county to not have a manager in place for 2020. In total, there will be four new bosses in the Liam MacCarthy Cup next season; Liam Cahill in Waterford, Brian Lohan in Clare, Kieran Kingston in Cork and O'Neill in Galway.
O'Neill will be eager to bring the best out of the Tribesmen in the coming seasons. After winning the 2017 All-Ireland Championship, they returned to the final the following season, but suffered a shock early exit this year. Nonetheless, there is a belief in the county that this group has more to offer, as they chase further silverware.