A FORMER GALWAY selector has been installed as the early favourite to replace Anthony Cunningham after he stepped own as senior hurling manager last evening following widespread player unreset.

Mattie Kenny quit Galway in 2013 — when speculation that Cunningham would follow suit was rife — following a disappointing season that saw the Tribesmen hammered by Dublin in the Leinster final before bowing out to Clare at the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Since then, Kenny has been coaching Cuala, current Dublin senior hurling champions, and the link with the Galway job will be an unwelcome distraction ahead of their Leinster final with Oulart-the-Ballagh on Sunday week.

Kenny has been installed as 6/4 favourites by bookmaker Paddy Power with manager of the Clarinbridge team that won the 2011 All-Ireland club hurling title, Michael Donoghue, 3/1 and former Clare and Dublin boss Anthony Daly (10/3) among the early front runners.

2015 All-Ireland-winning minor manager Jeff Lynskey (7/2) and former club All-Ireland-winning manager with Portumna Johnny Kelly (15/2) are also among the names mentioned.

‘A kangaroo court decision’ – Cunningham slams Galway players as he resigns

Dublin and Kerry to meet on opening night – here are your 2016 National League fixtures