DONAL ÓG CUSACK’S shock appointment as coach and selector will inject a new excitement into Clare hurling, Banner legend Anthony Daly said.
Manager Davy Fitzgerald confirmed the coup yesterday and announced that the All-Ireland winning Cork keeper will join as part of a backroom shake-up.
Aonghus O’Brien and strength and conditioning coach Jimmy Payne have also been recruited while Podge Collins returns to the panel following his year in exile with the county’s footballers.
“There’s no doubt the talent is in Clare at the minute with four U21-winning teams in seven seasons,” Daly told RTÉ Radio 1.
“There’s a lot of very good players so it’s a great chance if things can click and the players buy into it.
If you’re a Clare player this morning and you hear that news, you’re excited and you’re lifted by that.
“A freshen up is worth anything. Brian Cody has proven that over the years.”
Cusack confirmed that he will not be continuing in his role as an RTÉ analyst, but he will see out his term as GPA chairperson which comes to an end later this year.
Daly welcomed the move but said that he couldn’t have predicted it.
“Fair play to Davy. It’s a big call, one that none of us saw coming, but people in Clare are really excited about it.
This guy eats, sleeps, and drinks hurling. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as fanatical in the game.
“We’ll all be the experts for the end of the year but for the time being, I think it’s a very exciting call from a Clare point of view.”
