DAVY FITZGERALD’S DEPARTURE as Clare senior hurling manager was confirmed last night.
After Fitzgerald’s five seasons in charge, Clare are on the hunt for a replacement but who are the contenders in the frame?
1. Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney
The duo have enjoyed tremendous success with Clare underage sides, most notably when claiming three All-Ireland U21 triumphs between 2012 and 2014. Their record in Munster is also outstanding with five crowns collected between minor and U21 from 2010 to 2014. Work commitments could prove problematic but they will undoubtedly be in the frame.
2. Anthony Daly
Daly has been at the helm for the Banner before for three campaigns between 2004 and 2006. A decade on, the Clarecastle man may feel the time is right for a second coming after he was previously during a transitional period.
Hasn’t lacked hurling involvement since then, achieving landmark victories for Dublin in the 2011 league final and 2013 Leinster decider. More recently he coached the Limerick minors that contested the All-Ireland final earlier this month.
3. Brian Lohan
The Wolfe Tones man enjoyed a decorated playing career at the heart of the Clare defence and won honoured as an All-Star on four occasions. Lohan has turned his hand to the management side of the game since, a selector on the Cratloe team that contested the 2014 Munster final and manager of the UL side that won the 2015 Fitzgibbon Cup before contesting last February’s final as well.
4. Ger O’Loughlin
Another former Clare All-Ireland winner as a player, O’Loughlin also took charge of his county between 2009 and 2011. Could he be interested in throwing his hat into the ring for a second spell? Enjoyed success with Kilmallock as they won Limerick and Munster finals in 2014 before losing the 2015 All-Ireland club decider to Ballyhale Shamrocks.
5. John O’Meara
Another possible contender, O’Meara has done some fine work at local level in steering Sixmilebridge to Clare county senior titles in 2013 and 2015. Those victories have been cherished by a club who hadn’t reigned supreme in Clare since 2002. They also reached the 2013 Munster club final but were heavily beaten by Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh.
6. Anthony Cunningham
A potential outside choice, Cunningham steered his native Galway to the 2012 Leinster title along with All-Ireland final appearances in 2012 and 2015. He stepped down in the midst of player dissatisfaction in Galway at the end of last year and had a role with the Laois footballers this season.
– First published 10.31
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