GAA: Galway manager John O'Mahony is expected to make a decision on his future early next month. Given he has one year left on his contract and has delivered two all-Ireland titles in his seven seasons, the county board are not prepared to force his hand, writes Gavin Cummiskey

However, after Galway's exit from this year's championship at the third-round qualifier stage, albeit against Tyrone, there is increased speculation he may step down.

"I haven't made a decision yet, as I am unwinding at the minute," said O'Mahony.

"It will be my own decision, though. Obviously I will be consulting everyone involved, like my family and the county football board, who have put no pressure on me."

O'Mahony usually goes straight into the Galway under-21 set-up when the seniors bow out, but that road was prematurely closed when their old adversaries Mayo beat them, shortly after the Tyrone match, in the Connacht semi-final.

O'Mahony went to great lengths to rubbish talk that this Galway team are reaching the end of the road.

"I don't buy into this wide-ranging theory that this team are coming to the end of their tether," he said.

"I've no doubt that no matter what I do Galway will have a bright future. There are great structures and talent in the county. Of course, some players may retire.

"People go into clichés when they are assessing teams. 1998 and 2001 were two different All-Ireland-winning teams; there were only about nine players crossing over.

"But against Tyrone four players were under-21s and half the team were under 23. It's an insult to them to say they are a spent force."

He even went so far as to suggest that the widespread perception of his side as a team in decline had a damaging effect on how things went for them in the heat of battle.

"I thought we were closer than the eight-point margin suggested against Tyrone. At the end they did pull away from us and we had one or two goal chances that didn't come off.

"But also, there were refereeing decisions that were given against us that we probably would have got in 1998.

"When the presumption starts about a team coming to an end it pervades into every part of the GAA, even referees."

Like most, O'Mahoney feels Armagh are the team to beat but he also pointed to the sides that had Galway's number this summer, Mayo and Tyrone, as other genuine contenders.

"Tyrone seemed to have improved around centre back, where (Shane) Sweeney has come in and the return of Peter Canavan is a big boost, but the loss of Cormac McAnallen will still be felt, player-wise and spiritually.

"The championship is wide open but Mayo can have a big say. Next year a lot more people will be ready for them and their style, so this could be their time.

"They will not be able to compete physically with some sides but they are new and unpredictable and, most importantly, they have pace.

"Some counties that are still in it, like Fermanagh and Westmeath, have surpassed their targets so if a team gets a bit of luck on the horizon they may well sneak it."