Clare are still without a senior hurling manager after delegates backed a Scariff motion to return to the clubs and seek expressions of interest in the position.
A Clare GAA meeting this evening was expected to ratify either Brian Lohan or Louis Mulqueen for the role but after many attendees from the floor expressed dissatisfaction with the process, the appointment of all hurling managers was deferred.
After much discussion over the situation, still ongoing four months after the Banner’s elimination from the Munster hurling championship, a Scariff motion inviting applications from the clubs was proposed and seconded.
Clubs will be contacted to seek expressions of interest in the position with a deadline set for Monday week (21st October).
A five-person selection committee consisting of chairman Joe Cooney along with Colm Honan (Clonlara), Michael O’Neill (Ballyea), Michael O’Connor (Crusheen) and Niall Romer (Kilmaley) will meet with prospective candidates within the next week before a name is put to clubs for ratification.
Should no expressions of interest come in, delegates will meet again on Tuesday, 22nd October to decide what steps to take next.
Cooney opened the meeting explaining how things had progressed since June stating that with the minors and under 20s still competing along with development squads, it was early August before players and GAA people were sounded out for the review of the season just passed.
The executive was questioned regarding the details of this review and clubs will be sent that information before the next county board meeting.
Cooney did acknowledge that he spoke with outgoing joint manager Donal Moloney on two occasions – at the end of July and again in early September after his co-manager Gerry O’Connor stepped aside.
He stated that Moloney was aware they were exploring other options as well and did inform delegates that Anthony Daly was one of those sounded out but the former All-Ireland winning captain didn’t express interest in being considered.
Three candidates were invited for interview last Monday (Moloney, Lohan and Mulqueen) before the former withdrew following Sunday’s statement. Lohan and Mulqueen were interviewed for the position but there was dissatisfaction from many in attendance when those interviews didn’t involve questions about the prospective backroom teams.
Cooney did meet five senior players on Tuesday before they released their public statement expressing their disappointment with the process. And numerous delegates also went on record saying they received similar sentiments from panelists today.
After further discussion, it was agreed to back the Scariff motion meaning potential candidates can apply through the clubs to the county secretary.
As a result, appointments in relation to the minor and under 20 hurling positions were also postponed though there was one manager put in place. St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay’s Michael Neylon is the new under 20 football manager, replacing Seamus Clancy.
