Kevin Walsh has stepped down as manager of the Galway football team.

Walsh has been at the helm since September 2014 but stepped down this morning.

The Tribesmen lost the Connacht final to Roscommon and exited the qualifiers against Mayo as they failed to make the Super 8s.

Early names being mentioned as successors are former Mayo and Corofin manager Stephen Rochford and All-Ireland winning forward Padraic Joyce, who is the current Galway Under-20 manager.

In a statement, Walsh told RTÉ Sport: "It was both an honour and a privilege to manage our county to two Connacht titles, promotion to Division 1 and maintaining that status.

"When we took over in 2015, we sought to introduce structures to achieve the two core objectives of making Galway football more competitive and leaving Galway football in a better position.

"Over 25 players have made their senior championship debuts for Galway since then and the commitment of the players over the years has been one of the key factors in achieving those objectives. We would like to thank them for their dedication and friendship.

"We would like to thank the Galway County Board for giving us the opportunity to manage our county.

"Finally, we would like to thank the genuine Galway football supporters. Your passion for the maroon and white never went unnoticed.

"I emphatically believe that there are great things to come for Galway football. Having had the opportunity to work with professionals at the top of their field over the last number of years, I would like to see the recommendations in our reports to the County Board which included facilities and equipment, operations, alignment and development of underage teams through to senior level, finance, competition structures, player development and welfare, medical screening and deep level coaching continue to be implemented in the interests of Galway football going forward.

"I am honoured to have been given my chance to leave Galway football in a better place and I wish the players and new management team every success in the future."

Galway County Board added: "Kevin Walsh has confirmed to the Chairman of the Galway County Board, Pat Kearney and the Chairman of the Galway Football Committee, Kevin Clancy, that he is stepping down as the Galway manager after five years.

"Galway GAA wish to acknowledge Kevin's tremendous dedication and contribution to Galway Football, and his achievements over the past five years.

"Galway, under Kevin's management, achieved promotion to Division 1 and consolidated our position there.

"Galway GAA would like to acknowledge the professional structures Kevin put in place and Galway GAA were happy to support Kevin achieve these goals, and provide the necessary resources, and Galway GAA will continue to do this.

"Galway GAA have been engaged in the review process with Kevin, over the past week, and following consideration, and Kevin has decided not to continue as Galway senior football manager."