GAA: Ger Loughnane was sacked as Galway senior hurling manager this evening when the county board delegates voted 28 to 26 against the Clare man staying on after two years in the post.
The meeting took place at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry but Loughnane was not present to learn his fate firsthand.
Loughnane was on a three-year term with the Tribesmen but he sensationally said when first appointed to the role that he would walk away after two years if he failed to deliver Galway's first All-Ireland title.
He then suggested he might step down after this year's championship loss to Cork but U-turned and made it clear he wished to stay on.
Delegates and officers decided to hold the ratification process by secret vote and county board officers Frank Larkin, Bernie O'Connor and Michael Monaghan could be seen recounting the votes several times given how tight the outcome was.
Galway will begin the process of finding Loughnane's replacement with Michael Bond, who led Offaly to All-Ireland success in 1998, declaring his interest in a team that includes Joe Cooney, Michael Coleman and Steve Mahon.
Jimmy Heverin, who has led Portumna to two All-Ireland club titles in the past three years, has teamed up with former Galway hurler Anthony Cunningham as part of an alternative team.