CAVAN look set to lose Thomas Galligan for their 2023 campaign, with the powerhouse midfielder expected to head Down Under.
However, despite suggestions Galligan could be in Australia for up to two years, Breffni boss Mickey Graham insists there is no timeframe set for his travels just yet.
The 26-year-old has been a central figure since Graham took over from Mattie McGleenan four years ago, with a string of superb displays in Cavan’s shock 2020 Ulster Championship title triumph seeing Galligan pick up an Allstar.
Galligan was still suffering the after-effects of Covid-19 at the beginning of that campaign yet led the Breffni fightbacks against Monaghan and Down, was hugely influential in victory over Antrim and, stationed largely on the edge of the square, dominated Donegal in the Ulster final as Cavan ended a 23-year wait for the Anglo-Celt Cup.
As well as picking up an Allstar that year – one of three for Cavan alongside cousin and Cavan captain Raymond Galligan and Padraig Faulkner – he was also named Ulster player of the year.
Galligan is currently out injured after suffering a broken collarbone in Lacken’s Cavan SFC opener against Lavey last month, ruling him out of Saturday evening’s quarter-final clash with Crosserlough.
And it looks as though he won’t be featuring in county colours for the forseeable future either.
“We said when the club season’s over we’d have a chat,” said Graham.
“Thomas indicated last year when he was qualified as a physiotherapist he was going to do a wee bit of travelling. He hadn’t a timeframe set on it, and it’s the same at this moment in time – he still hasn’t a timeframe set on it.
“With Covid and lockdown, lads had maybe planned to do stuff and they never got to, so they’re probably just finding their feet again now.
“I’ll sit down with him in due course.”
Having lost out to Westmeath in July’s Tailteann Cup final, and with promotion from Division Three of the National League a priority in 2023, Graham is already making plans for next year.
As well as keeping a close eye on the club championship, he has also freshened up his backroom team.
Mayo native James Burke - a selector under James Horan for the last four years - joins Tyrone All-Ireland winner Ryan McMenamin, Seanie Johnston and John Denning in Graham’s management team.
Burke, who played for Ardnaree in Mayo and Ballymun Kickham’s in Dublin, had also been named as part of the proposed management team headed by Ray Dempsey, a candidate in the recent Mayo managerial race prior to Kevin McStay’s appointment.
Stepping away from the Cavan set-up, however, is Marty Corey – with Graham quick to hail the influence of the Monaghan man.
“Marty did fantastic work with us.
“He was there right from the word go with me in 2018, and obviously Dermot [McCabe] was with me too and he did massive work.
“The lads decided to move on and you can’t thank them enough for the work they did, but it gives the opportunity to maybe bring in a fresh voice around the place and that can be beneficial for players.”
