Five managers who could replace Padraic Joyce as Galway football boss

Joyce led Galway to four successive Connacht titles between 2022 and 2025. Galway also reached All-Ireland finals in 2022 and 2024 where they just came up short under Joyce.

The Connacht Tribune sports department takes a look at five manager who could take over from Joyce as manager of the Galway senior football team for the 2027 season.

1. Kevin Johnson

KEVIN JOHNSON is the current manager of the Galway U20 football team. Johnson led Galway to the Connacht U20 semi-final where they were defeated by Roscommon this year. He also won back-to-back Galway Senior Football Championships with Corofin in 2023 and 2024. Johnson has also tasted county championship success with Ballintubber in County Mayo, Tourlestrane in Sligo and Leitrim Gaels in Leitrim. He has also previously been involved with Salthill Knocknacarra and Moutbellew Moylough in the past.

THE Sligo native has built an impressive managerial CV, although he may feel that gaining further experience at U20 level would be beneficial before taking on the biggest job in Galway football.

However, he has already achieved more than enough during his managerial career to put himself firmly in the reckoning to replace Padraic Joyce.

2. James Horan

MOYCULLEN senior football manager Cathal Clancy has added former Mayo manager James Horan to his backroom team this year, bringing another highly experienced figure into the Galway club scene.Horan has played a significant role in raising standards within Mayo football over the past two decades, both at club and inter-county level.

The Ballintubber clubman managed the Mayo senior footballers from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2019 to 2022, guiding the county to All-Ireland final appearances in 2012, 2013 and 2021.Horan also came close to ending Dublin’s dominance during their most successful era, with Mayo pushing the eventual All-Ireland champions to the pin of their collar on a number of occasions.

His wealth of experience would undoubtedly make Horan one of the standout candidates for the Galway position, particularly given his proven record at the highest level.However, the long-standing rivalry between Galway and Mayo could prove a decisive factor in whether Horan takes on the role.

For now, Horan’s focus is with Moycullen, where he has joined Clancy’s management team, but his name is likely to feature prominently in any discussion surrounding Galway’s next senior football manager.

3. Kevin O’Brien

KEVIN O’BRIEN is another name who could come into consideration for the Galway senior football manager’s position following a hugely successful spell with Corofin.O’Brien was part of the Corofin backroom team between 2013 and 2015 before taking over as manager ahead of the 2016 season.

During his time in charge, he led the club to an incredible three All-Ireland club titles, four Connacht SFC crowns and four Galway SFC titles between 2016 and 2021.Since stepping away from Corofin, O’Brien has continued to work at a high level, taking on a role as performance coach with Scotstown.

The Monaghan club reached this year’s All-Ireland club football semi- final, where they were narrowly defeated by St Brigid’s in the semi-final.

The next step for O’Brien could now be a move into inter-county management. His extensive experience of winning at club level could make him an attractive candidate for Galway, particularly as the county looks to begin a new chapter.

There is also the possibility that O’Brien could form part of the same management team as Stephen Rochford, should the county opt for a combination of experienced coaches and managers to lead the Tribesmen forward.

4. Stephen Rochford

ANOTHER manager with plenty of inter-county experience is Stephen Rochford, who could view the vacant Galway senior football manager’s position as an opportunity to return to the inter-county scene.

The Crossmolina native guided Corofin to All-Ireland club success in 2015 before taking charge of the Mayo senior footballers.Rochford also gained valuable experience with the Donegal senior footballers under Declan Bonner before returning to the Mayo setup as part of Kevin McStay’s management team.

In recent seasons, he has been involved with Tullamore at club level in a coaching capacity, but the Galway vacancy could prove an attractive opportunity for Rochford to return to inter-county management.

With extensive experience at both club and county level, Rochford is another name who could come into consideration as Galway look to appoint a new manager and begin the next chapter for the senior footballers.

5. Kevin Walsh

KEVIN WALSH and Kevin O’Brien are among the names within the county being linked with the vacant Galway senior football manager’s position.Walsh is currently part of John Cleary’s Cork senior football management team, but a return to the west could offer him the opportunity to take charge of Galway for a second time.

The Killannin man has also been involved with his club over the past two seasons and remains one of the more experienced Galway candidates being mentioned for the role.

Walsh first took over as Galway manager in 2015, at a difficult time for the county when the Tribesmen were struggling to make an impact in Connacht.He quickly brought about a change in fortunes, guiding Galway to their first Connacht SFC title since 2008 in 2016.Under Walsh, Galway continued to progress and in 2018 they recorded a memorable victory over Kerry in Croke Park, their first win at headquarters since the 2001 All-Ireland final.That same year, Walsh guided Galway to their first All-Ireland semi-final since 2001, although they were ultimately defeated by Dublin.

Having suffered two successive All-Ireland quarter-final defeats in recent seasons, Galway are now looking for a manager capable of steadying the ship and beginning a new rebuild.Walsh’s previous experience of managing Galway, combined with his knowledge of the current inter-county landscape through his work with Cork, could make him an attractive option if the county decides to go back to a familiar face.