10 key points from the Galway players’ sensational Anthony Cunningham letter

The cat is very much amongst the pigeons.

On Friday night, SportsJOE brought you a Galway hurling exclusive that is sure to have ramifications well into 2016.

We published a piece containing a letter, penned on behalf of the Galway hurlers, that gave their unflinching stance on the row that has seen Anthony Cunningham step down as manager.

We have delved into the four-page letter and pulled out what we believe are the main bones of contention. As per the players:

1. The players met with Cunningham on September 27 and expressed no confidence in him taking the team forward. The following evening, Cunningham told the Galway Hurling Board he had the full support of his playing squad.
2. There was no further contact between the players and either Cunningham or the board from September 27 to the manager’s reappointment in mid November.
3. A secret ballot of the playing panel took place on November 15. Asked if they had confidence in Cunningham, going forward, 26 players answered ‘No’. Six answered ‘Yes’.
4. The panel believe the outcome of the ballot renders Cunningham’s position as manager untenable.
5. The panel, with all due respect, feel they are the best placed to assess Cunningham’s performance as manager.
6. The first no confidence ballot took place in April, following an Allianz League loss to Waterford. The majority of the panel declared they had no confidence in their manager but felt they had a squad capable of winning the All-Ireland.
7. At the September 27 meeting, Cunningham “slated” his backroom staff and also criticised statisticians and selectors.
8. At the same meeting, Cunningham claimed he did not have the final say in substitutions during the All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny.
9. A fringe member of the squad approached Cunningham and asked for advice on breaking into the 26-man panel. Instead of assistance or support, Cunningham offered no tips and told him he was dragging down squad morale.
10. Ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final with Tipperary, there was serious miscommunication between Cunningham’s coaches. Backs coach Pat Malone instructed one Galway player about a Tipperary opponent as he would be marking him in the match. Forwards coach Eugene Cloonan told the player that was not the plan.

To check out the full letter, click here.

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