CLARE ALL-IRELAND winning midfielder Ollie Baker has brought his successful time in charge of Dublin hurling outfit Kilmacud Crokes to a close.
Baker, who was part of Clare’s Liam MacCarthy Cup triumphs in 1995 and 1997, has opted to bring his spell with the Stillorgan based club to an end after their campaign recently concluded with a loss in the Dublin decider to current All-Ireland champions Cuala.
The St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield man took over in December 2013 and in less than a year had steered Kilmacud Crokes to the Dublin senior hurling title with an extra-time win over St Judes.
They would go on to reach the semi-final stage in Leinster before losing out to a Ballyhale Shamrocks team that journeyed all the way to St Patrick’s Day 2015 where they lifted the All-Ireland title.
Baker didn’t manage to guide Kilmacud to another Dublin senior title as Cuala exerted control on the club hurling scene in the capital, recently completing three-in-a-row.
But Kilmacud did take Cuala to the wire in the last two county finals as they were defeated by 1-15 to 0-15 last year and 1-13 to 0-13 last month.
They also twice won the annual All-Ireland sevens tournament played at their own grounds under Baker’s stewardship.
Baker asked not to be considered for another year in charge with Kilmacud and it will be interesting to see if he opts to return to inter-county management in the future.
He has previously had stints as a selector with the Clare and Antrim senior hurlers before taking over being installed as Offaly boss for the 2012 and 2013 campaigns.
“We owe Ollie a huge debt of gratitude and appreciation for all that he and his team have done and achieved and the way they went about it,” stated Kilmacud Crokes hurling chairman Peter Walsh.
“A true Gael, hurling man and Crokes forever favourite. He has given us many happy days and provided a great base to develop the game in our club and community.
“We wish himself, Michelle and family all the best and look forward to welcoming them all to Kilmacud in years to come to relive and retell the stories of a great chapter of the club’s hurling history.
“Thank you Ollie.”
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