Legend Joyce takes reins to lead Galway football charge

PÁDRAIC JOYCE will become the new Galway senior football manager after the two-time All-Ireland winner was recommended for the role by Tribe chiefs following an interview process.

Galway legend Joyce (right) beat former Limerick, Laois and Tipperary boss Liam Kearns to the post and will be ratified at a county board meeting next Friday with John Divilly, Micheál O’Domhnaill and John Concannon involved in his back-room team.

Joyce succeeds former team-mate Kevin Walsh in the position after he stepped down last month having led the Tribesmen to two Connacht titles as well as promotion to Division 1 of League and a 2018 All-Ireland semi-final appearance.

Joyce guided the Galway U-20 side to this year’s Connacht title before they were defeated by Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, and the Killererin clubman was the long-time favourite to fill the senior vacancy.

Galway are no closer to nailing down a senior hurling manager, however, with an update on the situation set to be given next week after Francis Forde and Noel Larkin removed their names from the race to succeed Micheál Donoghue earlier this week.

Meanwhile, former Kilkenny selector/ coach Mick Dempsey has returned to his native St Joseph’s in Laois as football coach for the 2020 season having departed the Cats last week following a 15-year spell with Brian Cody’s side. The latest exodus of some of the GAA’s brightest talents to the AFL has seen Sligo’s Luke Towey put pen to paper on a two-year-contract with Gold Coast Suns.

The Suns, who also house Mayo’s Pearce Hanley, were impressed with Towey following a trial earlier this summer and were quick to snap up the 20-yearold, who could have company Down Under in Meath’s Cian McBride. Essendon Bombers look poised to sign the Royal prospect after he impressed scouts at the AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne last week.