Micheál Donoghue appointed in Galway

Micheál Donoghue has been appointed as the new Galway senior hurling manager, with a three year term confirmed by Galway GAA on Tuesday night.

Donoghue, who led Clarinbridge to the All-Ireland senior club title in 2011, succeeds Anthony Cunningham as manager, the St Thomas' man having been forced out after the players revolted against his management shortly after their All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny in September.

A statement on galwaygaa.ie read:

"Clarinbridge's Micheál Donoghue is to be the new Galway Senior Hurling Manager for 2016. Micheál was involved with former Tipperary manager Eamon O'Shea's backroom team for the past 2 years, guided his club Clarinbridge to win the All-Ireland Club Hurling title in March, 2011 and part of this year's Clarinbridge minor backroom team that won the County Title."

Mattie Kenny, Gerry McInerney and Justin Campbell were all beaten to the position by Donoghue, who is expected to name his backroom team in early January.

Galway's first competitive game of 2016 will be their Walsh Cup opener against DCU on January 10. Their Division IA Allianz Hurling League campaign begins on Sunday, February 14 against Cork in Salthill, while they face the Leinster round robin group winner in the Leinster quarter-final on June 5.