Kevin Walsh pictured ahead of the All Ireland SFC Round Four Qualifier against Mayo at the LIT Gaelic Grounds in July.
By Cian O'Connell
Kevin Walsh has stepped down as manager of the senior football team in the county.
Killannin clubman Walsh, who guided Galway to two Connacht SFC titles and back into Division One of the Allianz Football League, released a statement announcing his departure on Tuesday morning.
"On behalf of the Galway senior management I've informed the Galway County Board that after five years in charge of the Galway senior football team we will not be seeking ratification for a sixth year," Walsh said.
"It was both an honour and privilege to manage our county to two Connacht titles, promotion to Division One and maintaining that status.
"When we took over in 2015 we sought to introduce structures to achieve two core objectives, making Galway football more competitive and leaving Galway football in a better position."
Walsh was satisfied with the emergence and development of talent during his stint in charge of Galway.
"Over 25 players have made their Senior Championship debuts for Galway since then and the commitment of the players over the years has been one of the key factors in achieving those objectives.
"We want to thank them for their dedication and friendship and also wish to acknowledge the substantial contributions of the backroom teams in putting in place the systems and processes that have been the foundation of what was built in the last few years."
Kevin Walsh managed Galway senior footballers for five years.
Speaking on Galway Bay FM, Galway GAA Chairman Pat Kearney acknowledged the rich contribution made by Walsh, who won't be involved for the 2020 campaign.
"It is the end of the era, we acknowledge his tremendous dedication and contribution to Galway football over the last five years," Kearney remarked.
"Kevin achieved Division One status and consolidated our position there, he brought a professional structure to Galway football."
"We were very happy to support that in Galway, to build and develop on that.
"Kevin was involved in a review process with us in the County Board for the last 10 days and after careful consideration he decided he was not going forward for a sixth year."
Galway now need to fill senior inter-county management vacancies in hurling and football with Kearney expecting appointments to be made by mid October.
"You would want to be getting them in place by the middle of October anyway to be preparing for next year's League which starts at the end of January," Kearney commented.
"We would want to have management in place by the middle of October in both codes. That would be the aim."
