Joe Kernan's resignation as Galway football manager was accepted last night amid reports that his departure was sparked by a row over the make-up of his backroom team.

The former Armagh All-Ireland winning manager, who had been at the Galway helm for less than a year, was all set to continue for another season following a meeting with Galway football board officials last week. But it is believed that Kernan was subsequently informed that there would have to be a change to his management team in a bid to cut costs and this was the main reason behind his decision to step down.

"That was something I couldn't accept," he said.

Kernan is understood to have outlined the reason for his departure in a letter which was discussed at last night's Galway football board meeting in Loughgeorge, after which delegates accepted his resignation.

Kernan's departure leaves Galway looking for their fourth manager since 2007, with former midfield star and current Sligo boss Kevin Walsh the early favourite to fill the vacancy. Kernan replaced Liam Sammon last September amid much fanfare, but his reign proved hugely disappointing as Galway crashing to championship defeats to Sligo and Wexford after narrowly avoiding a shock loss to New York in their Connacht SFC opener. Tweet

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