CLARE ARE ON the lookout for a new senior football manager after Micheal McDermott informed county board officials this morning that he has opted not to seek a fourth year at the helm of the county.
There had been speculation over McDermott’s future in the wake of Clare’s championship exit in the fourth round of the All-Ireland qualifiers against Kerry by 2-22 to 1-6 in the Gaelic Grounds at the end of July. Three weeks previously Clare had also suffered defeat at the Limerick venue when they were beaten in the Munster final against Cork on July 8th.
McDermott informed Clare county board chairman Michael O’Neill this morning of his decision. The Cavan native first took the reins for the start of the 2010 season but promotion from Division 4 of the National League agonisingly eluded Clare that season and in 2012 when they finished third on both occasions.
“He spoke to the Michael O’Neill this morning just to say that he did want his name to go forward for a fourth year,” county board PRO Syl O’Connor revealed to TheScore.ie.
“Michéal gave absolutely everything he had to Clare football. He was most unlucky that we didn’t manage to get league promotion during his time in charge. We were beaten by a point by Limerick in 2010 in a game that if we’d drawn in, we’d have been promoted. And this year we only lost by three points to Wicklow in Aughrim with fourteen men, again in a game we only needed a draw in. He put in a huge effort and we’d thank him for that. It’s just a case of Michéal moving on though, some members of his management team may decide to go forward themselves now, we don’t know.”
McDermott steered Clare to a notable triumph this year in the Munster semi-final against Limerick by 1-13 to 0-15 and also showcased his coaching credentials in recent seasons when he guided Clare outfit Kilmurry-Ibrickane to the 2010 All-Ireland club final and won a Limerick senior football title with Monaleen last October.
