Former Mayo manager low in odds to replace Pádraic Joyce as Galway boss
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Joyce vacated the hot seat after an unsuccessful campaign for the Tribesmen in the All-Ireland and Connacht Championships
Multiple former Mayo managers, along with a county title-winning boss, have emerged as frontrunners with the bookmakers to succeed Pádraic Joyce as the new manager of the Galway footballers.
Joyce departed the hot-seat this week after six periods at the helm, following a 2026 campaign which saw the Tribesmen lose out in the Connacht Championship final and exit the All-Ireland series at the hands of Dublin.
Since the announcement, speculation has been rife about who will lead the men in maroon for 2027. Now, the bookmakers have thrown up a variety of options.
The shortest odds are on a man who has pedigree in the club scene in Mayo. Kevin Johnson is listed at 4/1 co-favourite on Boylesports, having twice guided Ballintubber to the Moclair Cup. Johnson, the current Galway Under-20 bainisteoir, has also managed sides to county title glory in Leitrim, Sligo, and Galway.
He is not the only name familiar to Mayo folk on this shortlist.
Also among the top five names in the list is James Horan. Horan has also been involved in many successes with Ballintubber, as well as guiding the Green and Red to five Connacht titles and multiple All-Ireland final appearances. At present, Horan is part of the backroom panel with Moycullen while his odds are currently at 5/1 to become the next Galway manager.
Slightly further out is Stephen Rochford who’s odds are 6/1. The Crossmolina clubman is well-known in Galway GAA circles for his time with Corofin, as well as his spells with Mayo, which yielded two All-Ireland final appearances.
Also amongst the favourites to take over are John Divilly, Kevin O’Brien while former Dublin manager Jim Gavin’s odds have lowered massively after market support.