<notforsyndication>Listen to the interview with Tomas Ó Flatharta here. </notforsyndication>
Tomas Ó Flatharta has revealed he feels privileged to have been appointed the new manager of the Galway Senior Football team.
Speaking exclusively on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta from New York in his first interview since being handed the role, Ó Flatharta told Seán Bán Breathnach that his first priority would be to put together his backroom team.
Ó Flatharta stated he would be looking for well-respected, experienced members for the team who could work together as a unit.
'The first job I have to do over the coming weeks is to finalise my backroom team. I have to sit down with a few people. I will be looking for people who have experience of dealing with teams, that have respect within the game and that are willing to work as part of a unit.
'I don’t want to name anyone right now but I do have a few people in mind and I will be talking to them.'
Ó Flatharta believes the job will prove a significant test of his managerial abilities.
'It’s a great challenge but I am looking forward to it. Galway are a big team with a lot of good players and a great tradition going back over the years. It’s a great privilege for me to get this job and I am really looking forward to it.
'Last year someone came to me and asked if I would be interested in the job. I was just after finishing with Westmeath and I did not think I would go back into management, but when I heard it was Galway I changed my mind and decided to go for it.
'I did not get it that time but I was approached again this year and I applied again. I did my interview and it must have gone well because they offered me the job, and I’m very happy with that.'
Galway will face London or Mayo in the semi-finals of the 2011 Connacht Championship.
After a disappointing 2010, the new manager has stressed the importance of improvement next season.
'I know that this is a big job, and I can’t get hung up on what has happened to Galway over the last few years. I have to look forward, that is my job.
'We all have a lot of learning to do. We have to look at the way we play, and we have to look around the county for more players, find them and, if they are good enough, give them a chance.
'Galway have a tradition of playing great, open football. The style of play I like is an attacking style, but you have to take other styles of play that have emerged in recent years into account as well. You have to get a mixture of everything. We have a good bit of learning and improving to do.'
