Wexford have sprung the first surprise of managerial merry-go-round season, with the news they're set to appoint Paul Galvin as their new senior football manager.
The four-time All Ireland winner with Kerry will be handed a two-year term with the Model County, replacing Paul McLoughlin who stepped down in June following their All Ireland Football qualifier defeat to Derry.
Galvin - along with his backroom team - are to be put forward for ratification by the Wexford County Board in September.
Given McLoughlin's remarks throughout the year, it would appear that Galvin's first inter-county management job will be an extremely difficult one.
Wexford endured a dreadful Allianz Football League campaign, losing to Leitrim, London, Waterford and Derry en route to a 5th place finish in Division 4. Following that defeat to Waterford, McLoughlin told the Wexford People, "The clubs in Wexford have abandoned football.
"Take it this way, there are only 15 to 20 players who can play in Croke Park on Leinster hurling final day, but while the squad is made up of 30-odd players where does that leave the remainder of the players in the county?
"We have a 365 structure for hurling in the county, but where is the equivalent for football."
A preliminary round defeat to Louth in this year's Leinster Football Championship was followed by that 4-16 to 0-10 to Derry. McLoughlin confirmed his departure after that game, telling the Sunday Game, "I think we've done a lot of good work, but I think we are in a difficult position with football in the county. They're a bunch of good fellas, I've a lot of time for them but they'll be going on without them next year."
The Wexford GAA on Galvin read:
Wexford GAA are delighted to announce that the Senior Football Manager Selection Committee are nominating former Kerry player Paul Galvin for the position of Wexford Senior Football Manager on a two-year term.
The proposed appointment will be considered for ratification at the next meeting of Wexford County Board in early September.
A four-time All Ireland winner and three-time All Star during his playing career, Paul impressed the selection committee during the interview process with his knowledge of and passion for the game along with his vision for Wexford football at both Senior and Development level.
Details of Paul's backroom team will be confirmed at a press conference, subject to his successful ratification, details of which will be notified following the next meeting of the Wexford GAA County Board in early September.
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