WHEN CLARE LOST to Waterford in the 2009 Munster minor hurling semi-final, a Banner review process kicked in immediately.
Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney since then have gone on to lead Clare to four provincial underage crowns as well as the last two All-Ireland U21 titles.
But in the summer of 2009 there was only uncertainty. The pair reflected on their preparations and recognised there was a major deficiency in the strength and conditioning of the team. They went searching for help.
“We got onto Alan Cunningham about coming on board,” recalls O’Connor. “He’d great experience and we wanted him to coach the team.
“But he didn’t want to get involved, especially with his son Aaron being minor in 2010. We said we weren’t leaving though until he came up with an alternative.”
Cunningham suggested Paul Kinnerk. A Limerick footballer who is a PE and Maths teacher in St Caimin’s (Shannon), Kinnerk fell into hurling coaching during a spell out combating a series of shoulder injuries.
He got involved with Sean Stack and the Sixmilebridge U21 teams, then St Caimin’s and their Dr Harty Cup teams.
O’Connor and Moloney met him in the Radisson Hotel on the Ennis Road in Limerick with a view to bringing him on board with the Clare minors.
That was the first step on a path that now sees 27 year-old Kinnerk fill a critical role in the Clare management setup for today’s All-Ireland hurling final replay.
After being with the minor sides in 2010 and 2011, Kinnerk was drafted in to coach the senior side when Davy Fitzgerald took the reins at the start of 2012.
He’s also coached the Clare U21 sides that won the last two All-Ireland titles and his innovative coaching has helped revolutionize the Banner’s fortunes.
Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
“He’s an unbelievably analytical and mathematical guy”, says O’Connor. “I’d never seen a guy come to training having done such preparation beforehand.
“With the minors, many of whom are now the senior stars, he helped put the key gym programmes in place for them. We were incredibly fortunate to get a guy who knew conditioning but was also a hurling coach.
“He’s the brains of our operation. He completely challenged our hurling views. The biggest difference that Paul has brought is the amount of contact and conditioned games in training.
“His whole mantra involves players making correct decisions in confined space and while under pressure. Davy recognised that and brought him in. The fruits of his work can now be seen.”
Kinnerk is a Limerick native but has Clare links with both his parents being from Cratloe. His playing background is in Gaelic football and he lined out underage for the county.
Injuries then intervened before in November 2009 his shoulder problems were cured when he was operated on by Dr James Colville, who lists Ruby Walsh and Brian O’Driscoll amongst his previous patients, in the Santry Sports Clinic.
Kinnerk went back playing and won Limerick senior titles with Monaleen in 2010 and 2011. His form during that 2010 success brought him to the attention of Maurice Horan, the former Limerick boss.
Paul Kinnerk in action for Monaleen.
Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Thus in 2011 he went and filled a remarkable dual mandate of training the Clare minor hurlers and playing for the Limerick footballers. In 2012, he stayed involved with Limerick but his role with Clare had transferred to the seniors.
It’s been hectic. In May 2011, Limerick travelled to Swords on a Sunday morning to face Down in a challenge match. Kinnerk drove up on his own, played the game and afterwards went on the M6 bound for Ballinasloe.
The Clare minors were playing Dublin at six and Kinnerk fulfilled his promise to be present.
By the time he arrived home that evening, he had covered over 500km of road and passed through 10 counties in a whirlwind trek around the country.
That’s indicative of his manic schedule. But as he told this writer in January 2012, he’s relishing the opportunity.
“Going training with Limerick is great as you’re challenging yourself and then it’s a different type of challenge working with the Clare players. I’m very grateful to Davy and Maurice for giving me the chance to do both.”
O’Connor is delighted for him.
“Myself and Donal always encouraged him to keep playing. There’s only a particular window in your life when you can play at the highest level and Paul was right to seize that.
“He’s a great fella and I’d be delighted for him. He’s a great rapport with the young lads. And he has a lucky charm as well with the saffron and blue Super-dry jacket that he wears on the sideline for every game. The lads give him a great slagging about that!”
