Anthony Cunningham has decided that he would rather quit as Galway manager than force clubs into sacking him.
The man, who just two months ago led his native county to another All-Ireland final, has this evening quit before a scheduled Galway county board meeting would decide his fate.
It emerged this morning that the Galway players had once again voted against the 50-year-old continuing with a vote taken that the players would effectively go on strike if he continued in the role.
The board were due to meet this evening to resolve the issue once and for all and either back Cunningham, or back the players.
However the St Thomas’ clubman has taken that vote away from the county board this evening by tendering his resignation.
Anthony Cunningham has tendered his resignation as Galway hurling manager @RTEgaa #gaa
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) November 16, 2015
The Galway county board have released a statement in the last few minutes confirming the news, as Cunningham goes on the attack against what he describes as kangaroo court which has forced him out of the job,
In it he says he has taken the decision with great sadness, but for the good of Galway hurling,
“Despite extensive attempts at genuine dialogue including independent arbitration there was no reasonable explanation offered or given as to the issues the players felt they had”
Cunningham also slams the players as disrespectful, not to him, but to Galway GAA and to the county’s supporters,
“I believe that the players are misguided as they are not taking the views of their county on board. They through their actions have shown scant respect for the loyalty and goodwill shown them by supporters, clubs and GAA committees.”
He also is confused as to how there was any vote of confidence in his management after the county reached yet another All-Ireland final just two months ago,
“I contend it is unreasonable to express a lack of confidence in management – how else could we have reached a winning position in the all-Ireland final last September?”
Cunningham describes the votes against his ongoing role as Galway senior manager as unfair and has lashed out at a select group of players who were behind the apparent heave
“I consider this a kangaroo court decision, led by a core group of players orchestrated with help by others outside of Galway motivated by a despite to unjustly extend their lifespan as inter county players.”
The reaction has been mixed
Anthony Cunningham pushed out of his job by the Galway hurlers …. Some pressure on Yee now @Galway_GAA mAn just got to Ai final #opinions
— Adrian Farrell (@adrian_farrell) November 16, 2015
Anthony Cunningham has finally accepted the inevitable and stepped down
— Céimin Burke (@CeiminB) November 16, 2015
Think that's the strongest statement I've ever seen from a resigning manager in GAA by Anthony Cunningham.
— Aidan O'Hara (@oharaa) November 16, 2015
