McIntyre shakes things up

Galway hurling manager John McIntyre

27 November 2009

Galway hurling boss John McIntyre has drafted nine new players into his squad for next season.

The former Tipperary star unveiled the 34-man squad yesterday and among those included are former captain David Collins, who has spent much of the last two years on the sidelines through injury.

There is a surprise recall for former full back Tony Og Regan, who did not feature at all during McIntyre's first year in charge. Promising defender Ciaran O'Donovan and the versatile Iarla Tannian, both of whom suffered serious injuries early in the year, are included for next season.

Meanwhile, experienced performers such as Fergal Healy and Alan Kerins have been dropped, while midfielder David Tierney and full-back Damien McClearn have opted out.

"The squad is open at both ends and as we showed this year, team management will be quite flexible in moving players in and out as the need arises," said McIntyre.

McIntyre has also dropped defenders Ger Mahon, Martin Ryan and Brian Costello, along with under 21 forward Eoin Forde.

There is a return to the squad for Mullagh defender Conor Dervan, who will be eligible to play at the end of January after a proposed 48-weeks ban for his involvement in the incidents which followed his club's exit from the county championship was reduced to 12 weeks.

While there are eight players from county champions Portumna included, there is no place for captain Leo Smith who remains a Westmeath player for the time being at least.

Galway (SH squad): C Callanan, J Skehill, F Moore, E McEntee, T Òg Regan, O Canning, D Joyce, C O'Donovan, J Lee, D Collins, C Dervan, A Cullinane, S Kavanagh, E Lynch, G Farragher, R Murray, K Hynes, A Coen, A Callanan, A Smith, K Hayes, C Donnellan, N Healy, J Canning, D Hayes, J Gantley, N Hayes, I Tannian, D Burke, P Holland, E Ryan, N Cahalan, A Harte, D Barry.