CLARE GAA CLUBS had their say on the year that was at last night’s county board meeting and it was one of the more colourful gatherings that the Banner County has had in recent times.
Local journalists were urged not to tweet by chairman Michael McDonagh as the night’s events were chronicled on social medial by Derrick Lynch of Clare FM and the Clare People’s Joe Ó Muircheartaigh.
Documentation from the Ruan club seeking a review of Clare’s progress in 2015 kicked off some lively debate last night, with McDonagh insisting that there will be a “warts and all” report at annual convention later this year.
McDonagh insisted that senior hurling team manager Davy Fitzgerald and his backroom team will remain in place, and they have been ratified at a previous meeting of Clare GAA.
McDonagh added that Fitzgerald is still working on finalising his backroom team, as speculation links former coach Paul Kinnerk with a switch to his native Limerick.
Ex-Limerick footballer Kinnerk was a key member of Fitzgerald’s set-up when they won the All-Ireland senior title two years ago, and was a revered figure too in the all-conquering U21 set-up.
But Kinnerk took this year out to go travelling and is due to announce his intercounty intentions shortly, as he is almost certain to return to top-level coaching ahead of the 2016 season.
Interestingly, Brian Lohan’s club Wolfe Tones expressed backing for the status quo in Clare, despite calls from one of its most favourite sons to undertake a root and branch review.
McDonagh also received support from delegates to finish his term as county board chairman, despite searing recent criticism from Clare’s 1995 and 1997 All-Ireland SHC winning manager Ger Loughnane.
Whitegate’s Davy Solan insisted, however, that the matter couldn’t be just swept under the carpet last night.
While no definitive terms of reference were established, Clare sources have indicated, McDonagh’s review will be delivered later in the year.
There was heated discussion on comments being made on social media, with some speakers on the night critical of the personal nature of some remarks.
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