THE APPOINTMENT of the new Galway hurling manager could take weeks after eight candidates - including two who held the post previously - were nominated.

Former managers Mattie Murphy, who held the position twice, and Noel Lane have been put forward to take over from Ger Loughnane.

Former Offaly manager John McIntyre, who was twice unsuccessful in his bid, has also been nominated. The former Tipperary hurler was unsuccessful in his effort to have Galway legend Joe Cooney on his ticket. Instead, the five-times All Star has aligned himself to another ex-Offaly boss Michael Bond, who also includes former All-Ireland winners Steve Mahon and Michael Coleman as part of his management team.

Another member of those All-Ireland winning teams of 1987 and '88, Anthony Cunningham, has been nominated with former Portumna boss Jimmy Heverin. They have been each nominated for the position but they have declared they will run on a joint ticket.

Clarinbridge manager and hurling development officer Gerry Spellman has also been nominated along with under-21 boss Vincent Mullins.

Galway chairman Gerry Larkin, who heads the committee set up to find the manager, said yesterday it may take a few weeks to go through the process.