The race to be the new Galway manager is now down to a single runner, with Alan Mulholland certain to be appointed to the job once he goes through the interview process formalities. The original field of four was halved when Billy Joyce and Kevin Walsh (the latter since reappointed by Sligo) pulled out and yesterday former Offaly manager Gerry Fahy (who went for the Galway job without success last year) announced that, although nominated for the post, he wouldn’t allow his name to go forward for it. That leaves Mulholland as the last man standing and he’ll be formally installed at some point inside the next week or so.

The Salthill/Knocknancarra clubman was always the obvious choice to replace Tomás Ó Flatharta and his impressive track record at under-age level with the county, steering them to a minor All-Ireland title in 2007 and this year’s U21 win, means that he’s well placed to continue the process of bringing that talent through to the senior ranks and, in so doing, seeking to engineer an upturn in the county’s fortunes.

Galway were as poor as I’ve ever seen them this year but I think it’s fair to say that under Mulholland they’ll be a different beast altogether. With Roscommon likely to improve still further next year and Sligo perhaps having a better year than their underwhelming one in 2011, the Connacht championship next summer could provide a fair few sparks. And hopefully less in the way of wind and rain too.