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Clare GAA discussion thread

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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 184 ✭✭Donald Trumped


    There is plenty of speculation that Ian Galvin will not be involved for the Clare senior hurlers, for the foreseeable future. Lets just say it has nothing to do with his hurling. With Conor Cleary out suspended for the Waterford game, there is plenty of discussion in Clare at this time as to see who will wear the number 6 jersey come May 12th at Walsh Park.

    As for the Clare senior footballers, I believe they played Offaly in a challenge match recently. Any info on score and team would be greatly appreciated. They play Waterford on May 11th at Cusack park at 7 pm in the Munster Championship quarter-final. The winners play Kerry for a place in the Munster final.

    Finally any word on how Matthew Reidy is getting on, after his awful injury that he sustained during the Clare minor footballers loss against Waterford last Wednesday? Also is Shane Meehan okay after he came off injured in the same match. They will play Tipp in the Munster Phase 1 final on next Tuesday at the Gaelic Grounds at 7 pm. The winners of that match will face both Cork and Kerry in Phase 2 of the championship with the top two qualifying for the Munster final on June 22nd.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    3 players rules out for the season - Ian Galvin, Jamie Shanahan, and Conor McGrath

    https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/three-clare-hurlers-ruled-out-of-2019-championship/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,766 ✭✭✭funnyname


    Isn't Colm Galvin just injured and no surprise about who will play 6 vs Waterford. JB plays there for his club and has done so for the recent two challenge matches.

    There is plenty of speculation that Ian Galvin will not be involved for the Clare senior hurlers, for the foreseeable future. Lets just say it has nothing to do with his hurling. With Conor Cleary out suspended for the Waterford game, there is plenty of discussion in Clare at this time as to see who will wear the number 6 jersey come May 12th at Walsh Park.

    As for the Clare senior footballers, I believe they played Offaly in a challenge match recently. Any info on score and team would be greatly appreciated. They play Waterford on May 11th at Cusack park at 7 pm in the Munster Championship quarter-final. The winners play Kerry for a place in the Munster final.

    Finally any word on how Matthew Reidy is getting on, after his awful injury that he sustained during the Clare minor footballers loss against Waterford last Wednesday? Also is Shane Meehan okay after he came off injured in the same match. They will play Tipp in the Munster Phase 1 final on next Tuesday at the Gaelic Grounds at 7 pm. The winners of that match will face both Cork and Kerry in Phase 2 of the championship with the top two qualifying for the Munster final on June 22nd.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    funnyname wrote: »
    Isn't Colm Galvin just injured and no surprise about who will play 6 vs Waterford. JB plays there for his club and has done so for the recent two challenge matches.

    This time of year the rumour mill goes into overdrive and lots of people read into things which becomes fact very quickly


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Looks like all the Clare matches will be on TV this year

    https://twitter.com/TheSundayGame/status/1123186389179408385


  • Registered Users Posts: 957 ✭✭✭BloodyBill


    Clareman wrote: »
    This time of year the rumour mill goes into overdrive and lots of people read into things which becomes fact very quickly

    Fact of the matter is Clare had a small panel and now its alot smaller. Theyve a great chance this year if they can gain momentum but that's a big if. They really are about 2 injuries away from catastrophic collapse. If Jack Brown goes centre then the fullback line has no cover if Morey starts . The halfback line is already stretched to breaking point. Malone and Fitzgerald arent great. I wouldn't worry so much about the forwards, they ll put up a winning score but the defence isnt good enough.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    We're a locked shop where if you weren't good enough at under 21 you aren't getting a look in, those players have had over 10 years of slogging for Clare (from under 16 development, to minor, under 21 and now senior) but the playing pool hasn't been refreshed, I'm struggling to think of 5 players on the panel who doesn't have an under 21 All Ireland medal.


  • Registered Users Posts: 957 ✭✭✭BloodyBill


    Clareman wrote: »
    We're a locked shop where if you weren't good enough at under 21 you aren't getting a look in, those players have had over 10 years of slogging for Clare (from under 16 development, to minor, under 21 and now senior) but the playing pool hasn't been refreshed, I'm struggling to think of 5 players on the panel who doesn't have an under 21 All Ireland medal.

    Dead right. Why do Clare never call in guys to the panel who are hurling well for the club? It's a stale panel. In limerick theres still an open door for guys hurling well. Josh Ryan should be called up for Limerick..but at least they know there's a chance. In Clare it's a panel place for life . I'm abit depressed about Clares chances this year. Wheres the cavalry after 55mins? Theres none!
    The worrying thing is if Clare do badly then Davy Fitzgerald will have an opening to get back in. It would be a travesty if after 3 poor years with Wexford hed get back into Clare.. Hed talk his way into a 3year contract. I hope the likes of Brian Lohan and Anthony Daly are live to this worrying prospect


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    BloodyBill wrote: »
    Dead right. Why do Clare never call in guys to the panel who are hurling well for the club? It's a stale panel. In limerick theres still an open door for guys hurling well. Josh Ryan should be called up for Limerick..but at least they know there's a chance. In Clare it's a panel place for life . I'm abit depressed about Clares chances this year. Wheres the cavalry after 55mins? Theres none!
    The worrying thing is if Clare do badly then Davy Fitzgerald will have an opening to get back in. It would be a travesty if after 3 poor years with Wexford hed get back into Clare.. Hed talk his way into a 3year contract. I hope the likes of Brian Lohan and Anthony Daly are live to this worrying prospect

    How are you going to unearth other players when the club championship isn't played during the summer?

    There's an exceptional gifted under-age group of players coming through, don't be surprised if Davy "decides" to take a break from inter-county management but get a "Development Officer" gig to bring them through.

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again, we are way too reliant on the team of the 90s for management, the current management for all their faults at least are a break from that team, if there is to be a change in management I think we have to go outside of the county, Len Gaynor is the last non-Clare person in charge and he finished up in 1994.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 957 ✭✭✭BloodyBill


    Theres been plenty of Clare Cup games played and I'm sure theres been a few performers. It would certainly spice up the panel. Any injury to O Donnell, Conlon, McInerney or Kelly and its curtains.
    I agree wholeheartedly that there needs to be an outside manager brought in. Just to have a new set of eyes on the whole system. I'd go for someone like Gary Kirby or the Galway minor manager ...cant think of his name..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,252 ✭✭✭Sterling Archer


    BloodyBill wrote: »
    Theres been plenty of Clare Cup games played and I'm sure theres been a few performers. It would certainly spice up the panel. Any injury to O Donnell, Conlon, McInerney or Kelly and its curtains.
    I agree wholeheartedly that there needs to be an outside manager brought in. Just to have a new set of eyes on the whole system. I'd go for someone like Gary Kirby or the Galway minor manager ...cant think of his name..

    And to remove the favoritism that exists


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,252 ✭✭✭Sterling Archer




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 941 ✭✭✭Stationmaster


    Clareman wrote: »
    How are you going to unearth other players when the club championship isn't played during the summer?

    There's an exceptional gifted under-age group of players coming through, don't be surprised if Davy "decides" to take a break from inter-county management but get a "Development Officer" gig to bring them through.

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again, we are way too reliant on the team of the 90s for management, the current management for all their faults at least are a break from that team, if there is to be a change in management I think we have to go outside of the county, Len Gaynor is the last non-Clare person in charge and he finished up in 1994.

    Our record since 1994 isn't too bad compared to what went on pre 94 so I don't think an outside manager is the solution.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Our record since 1994 isn't too bad compared to what went on pre 94 so I don't think an outside manager is the solution.

    It could be argued that 95 wouldn't have started without an outside person to get it going, Len Gaynor got us to 2 Munster Finals, Loughnane got us over the hump.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 941 ✭✭✭Stationmaster


    Clareman wrote: »
    It could be argued that 95 wouldn't have started without an outside person to get it going, Len Gaynor got us to 2 Munster Finals, Loughnane got us over the hump.

    It would be a weak argument.

    We're not a county that's blessed with 100 hurlers of inter county standard. To be honest, I don't know of any club player that stands out at the moment who hasn't got a run at some stage.


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    It would be a weak argument.

    We're not a county that's blessed with 100 hurlers of inter county standard. To be honest, I don't know of any club player that stands out at the moment who hasn't got a run at some stage.

    The team of the 90s was "based" on the minor team of the late 80s, Len Gaynor brought that team through to senior, I don't think he would have been able to get them a Munster title but I also don't think Loughnane wouldn't have been able to bring a bunch of minors through either.

    Looking at the current panel, there are very few 22-25 year olds on it, almost all the team are 25-26 with John Conlon being the only 1 in his 30s, Podge is 1 of the oldest on the panel. Of the subs, Shanagher is 22, he's probably the only 1 with a realistic chance of starting but SoD will start before him against Waterford probably.

    I'm not saying get rid of the core of the team, but you need to refresh the team every year with a couple of players or else once those players finish together you'll have nothing to replace them with.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,766 ✭✭✭funnyname


    We're also battling with the incompetent of our administrators as they didn't stand up and fight for the schedule of games to be changed once it was known we'd have 3 games over a 14 day period.

    Leinster put in place a great schedule whereby no team plays more than two weekends in a row. We have the potential to be severely handicapped by it.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    funnyname wrote: »
    We're also battling with the incompetent of our administrators as they didn't stand up and fight for the schedule of games to be changed once it was known we'd have 3 games over a 14 day period.

    Leinster put in place a great schedule whereby no team plays more than two weekends in a row. We have the potential to be severely handicapped by it.

    Sure our administrators are more interested in closing grounds in response to tweets rather than dealing with actual issue


  • Registered Users Posts: 957 ✭✭✭BloodyBill


    It would be a weak argument.

    We're not a county that's blessed with 100 hurlers of inter county standard. To be honest, I don't know of any club player that stands out at the moment who hasn't got a run at some stage.

    I think Len Gaynor was extremely important and instilled a confidence in Clare that wasnt there before. Loughnane tapped into it and his innate knowledge of the Clare psyche pushed them on. The problem in Clare is numbers but also the insular outlook of those in charge. They promote insiders. Every county benefits from outside views.. Look what Kinnerk did. I'd offer him the Clare job next. He might not take it as I dont think JP McManus will be outbid but we could certainly try.
    The common comment in Clare is we know every player who's any good. Theres no way we are missing a Seamus Harnedy type. But I bet you theres an intermediate hurler or senior B hurler who's worth his place on the panel. There has to be a pathway for guys to come through the backdoor.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    outside manager ...who??? tj ryan ......derrick mcgrath ....:rolleyes: there are no outside managers to be got , in fairness we have loads of guys lining up for the job if this was gerry and donal's last year

    louis mulqueens record is the best in the county better then fitz , has turned liam mellows into a serious team up in galway from nowhere

    antony daly is still one of the most sought after managers in the country and is waiting for this post to come up again

    alan cunningham has been as pivotal as paul kinnerk to the limerick set up over the last few years , the work himself and ollie baker done up in offaly was serious too,

    you have loads of guys ,sitting on there hands also like baker , john minogue peter casey, cyril lyons , gus o'brien (also with limerick at the moment ) alan dunne in flannans sparrow o'loughlin is still doing great work out side the county at club level, that would make serious backroom staff to any management side in the country the problem is we dont utilize these guys enough


    if sixmilebridge do happen to win a county championship , which i believe they will given how strong they are at the moment then fitz is back in the running as front runner really to be fair , even he would be a better option then whats available out side the county at the moment


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 184 ✭✭Donald Trumped


    outside manager ...who??? tj ryan ......derrick mcgrath ....:rolleyes: there are no outside managers to be got , in fairness we have loads of guys lining up for the job if this was gerry and donal's last year

    louis mulqueens record is the best in the county better then fitz , has turned liam mellows into a serious team up in galway from nowhere

    antony daly is still one of the most sought after managers in the country and is waiting for this post to come up again

    alan cunningham has been as pivotal as paul kinnerk to the limerick set up over the last few years , the work himself and ollie baker done up in offaly was serious too,

    you have loads of guys ,sitting on there hands also like baker , john minogue peter casey, cyril lyons , gus o'brien (also with limerick at the moment ) alan dunne in flannans sparrow o'loughlin is still doing great work out side the county at club level, that would make serious backroom staff to any management side in the country the problem is we dont utilize these guys enough


    if sixmilebridge do happen to win a county championship , which i believe they will given how strong they are at the moment then fitz is back in the running as front runner really to be fair , even he would be a better option then whats available out side the county at the moment

    I agree that there is a load of options out there when Donal and Gerry do leave their roles come championship time. But even though I despise the Fitz's so much, It really will be Davy Fitz for 2020 and beyond.

    What about Jamesie O'Connor as a coach. What a damning indictment that he is not involved in Clare in any capacity, outside of his work in St Flannans. Always speaks so well in his role with Sky Sports and a highly intelligent guy to boot. As you said Windy, most of our good coaches are working outside the county, really bad form on behalf of Pat Fitz and co to allow this exodus to happen.

    If we are talking about potential candidates for hurling gigs, what about the football management for 2020 when Colm Collins leaves. I would love to see Pat O'Shea take over as he that innovative football coach that the players would love to work under. If we are looking inside the county, then Dermot Coughlan and Aidan "Horse" Moloney would be strong contenders.


  • Registered Users Posts: 957 ✭✭✭BloodyBill


    outside manager ...who??? tj ryan ......derrick mcgrath ....:rolleyes: there are no outside managers to be got , in fairness we have loads of guys lining up for the job if this was gerry and donal's last year

    louis mulqueens record is the best in the county better then fitz , has turned liam mellows into a serious team up in galway from nowhere

    antony daly is still one of the most sought after managers in the country and is waiting for this post to come up again

    alan cunningham has been as pivotal as paul kinnerk to the limerick set up over the last few years , the work himself and ollie baker done up in offaly was serious too,

    you have loads of guys ,sitting on there hands also like baker , john minogue peter casey, cyril lyons , gus o'brien (also with limerick at the moment ) alan dunne in flannans sparrow o'loughlin is still doing great work out side the county at club level, that would make serious backroom staff to any management side in the country the problem is we dont utilize these guys enough


    if sixmilebridge do happen to win a county championship , which i believe they will given how strong they are at the moment then fitz is back in the running as front runner really to be fair , even he would be a better option then whats available out side the county at the moment

    Theres no great confidence in Sixmilebridge at the moment. They realise they've a decent squad but the underage is mixed and their results in Munster have left a bitter taste in the mouth for many Sixmilebridge folk . The loss to Na Piarsaigh in O' Garney Park a few years ago was shocking...9 points up. But yeah they probably are capable of winning Clare again but would they put it up to Patrickswell or Na Piarsaigh or Ballygunnar...? Not a hope and that's how Sixmilebridge measure themselves.
    I'd give Sparrow a run with Kinnerk but they don't have the financial clout to match Limericks backroom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    BloodyBill wrote: »
    Theres no great confidence in Sixmilebridge at the moment. They realise they've a decent squad but the underage is mixed and their results in Munster have left a bitter taste in the mouth for many Sixmilebridge folk . The loss to Na Piarsaigh in O' Garney Park a few years ago was shocking...9 points up. But yeah they probably are capable of winning Clare again but would they put it up to Patrickswell or Na Piarsaigh or Ballygunnar...? Not a hope and that's how Sixmilebridge measure themselves.
    I'd give Sparrow a run with Kinnerk but they don't have the financial clout to match Limericks backroom.

    i think they (sixmilebridge) had to bite the bullet a bit by given it to fitz , they really need someone to take them to the next level in munster and he was probably the best candidate with his name in the hat

    i know a number of key players are pushing on a bit but they have serious depth , every year they are pushing for the intermediate championship with there second team , and 2/3rds of the way through the league and there 2nd team are for a place in 1B , they lost narrowly enough last year to doora/barefields first team in the division 2 final

    i would give them 5 years at best at the moment for them to achieve what they want in munster after that there current squad will be pretty much disbanded , and not a huge amount coming through at the present ,


  • Registered Users Posts: 957 ✭✭✭BloodyBill


    i think they (sixmilebridge) had to bite the bullet a bit by given it to fitz , they really need someone to take them to the next level in munster and he was probably the best candidate with his name in the hat

    i know a number of key players are pushing on a bit but they have serious depth , every year they are pushing for the intermediate championship with there second team , and 2/3rds of the way through the league and there 2nd team are for a place in 1B , they lost narrowly enough last year to doora/barefields first team in the division 2 final

    i would give them 5 years at best at the moment for them to achieve what they want in munster after that there current squad will be pretty much disbanded , and not a huge amount coming through at the present ,

    It's a real eye opener to see how little is coming through underage recently. Considering the population is rising massively year on year and the coaching levels are still very good. From the huge numbers youd expect more talent. But even for a club like Sixmilebridge it must come in cycles.
    The funny thing is Sixmilebridge always had outsiders that offered something different to the team. I'm thinking Noel Early from the great 95-96 team. They have Malone now . I dont even know what part of Clare he is from.. but they could do with 1 or 2 more. Theres a lack of pace in the squad aswell. But like you said theres huge numbers with Intermediate and Junior teams . The fact is I could name an alternative Sixmilebridge senior team that would give the first a serious game.
    Finally the top brass in Sixmilebridge is the fiefdom of one man similar to Clare and that turns many many people off.


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭sasol


    i think they (sixmilebridge) had to bite the bullet a bit by given it to fitz , they really need someone to take them to the next level in munster and he was probably the best candidate with his name in the hat
    QUOTE]

    No, they didn't. Nobody else wanted the job.

    To even suggest that Fitz should be given the Clare job again is boarding on obscene. Some people have very short memories


  • Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭Howitzer the 5th


    sasol wrote: »
    i think they (sixmilebridge) had to bite the bullet a bit by given it to fitz , they really need someone to take them to the next level in munster and he was probably the best candidate with his name in the hat
    QUOTE]

    No, they didn't. Nobody else wanted the job.

    To even suggest that Fitz should be given the Clare job again is boarding on obscene. Some people have very short memories

    It is absolutely obscene. Irrefutably so. You're absolutely right. It is an affront to every single Clare man, woman and child who profess even the very tiniest fragment of faith and love in the great banner county that he would be remotely EVER considered as Clare manager again. Clare took four years to rid themselves of the fallout from his so-called management. Delegates and all with the best interests of Clare hurling and G.A.A at heart must NEVER let this happen again.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 184 ✭✭Donald Trumped


    sasol wrote: »

    It is absolutely obscene. Irrefutably so. You're absolutely right. It is an affront to every single Clare man, woman and child who profess even the very tiniest fragment of faith and love in the great banner county that he would be remotely EVER considered as Clare manager again. Clare took four years to rid themselves of the fallout from his so-called management. Delegates and all with the best interests of Clare hurling and G.A.A at heart must NEVER let this happen again.

    Those that defend DF would argue that he brought us an All-Ireland and a league title during that reign. Davy 2.0 is coming to the Banner county in 2020. I can guarantee that there will be no unrest come the night of his re-appointment, with the possible exception of Solan from Whitegate, a longtime critic of the Fitz's. Knowing the man that Pat Fitz is, he'll threaten clubs that don't support this motion with some withdrawal of funds for new lights or new pitches, stands etc.

    You play a dangerous game if you cross the red line against what many would believe is Kim Jong Un/Putin in disguise. Pat Fitz is a despicable person who like most politicians or public representatives, puts his own selfish interests ahead of the best interests of society. In this case its Clare GAA that has been neglected for far too long under his reign as CCB secretary. The row that lead to the subsequent retirement of Rory Hickey as a referee is further proof of the consequences of those who don't tow the Fitz line.

    I really have lost so much interest in Clare GAA and I'm deeply concerned about the future. When you look at the way things are changing in Cork with Kevin O'Donovan as that new innovative, modern and forward thinking county secretary that the rebel county has been craving for decades. But here in Clare, its a case of the old guard with any change in position in the board hierarchy, just a case of changing the deck chairs and moving a board member to another role in the executive that has well past its sell by date.

    The biggest indictment of the clubs is the failure of the delegates, to lead from the front and demanding change from the top. Every year they fail to do this, they prolong the inner circle of Pat Fitz, Joe Cooney, PJ McGuane and co. stay in there big comfy jobs and their grand easy salaries for basically until their retirement age at least.

    By continuing to accept the status quo, club delegates in-actions threaten to destroy GAA in the county and lead to an alienation of people who care for hurling and football in Clare. A start to address this imbalance, would be for all clubs to stand united against DF's return to the Clare senior hurling manager in 2020. But I would not get too upbeat on that united front from happening any time soon. Sad times indeed and as regards to major change in the way Clare GAA is being run, there is no indication to suggest that this will happen any time for the foreseeable future. The future looks bleak.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    sasol wrote: »
    i think they (sixmilebridge) had to bite the bullet a bit by given it to fitz , they really need someone to take them to the next level in munster and he was probably the best candidate with his name in the hat
    QUOTE]

    No, they didn't. Nobody else wanted the job.

    To even suggest that Fitz should be given the Clare job again is boarding on obscene. Some people have very short memories

    how do you stop it from happening again, county board is full of yes men , bruiser getting the minor job then fitz getting the sixmilebridge gig in a short space of time alone with a few interviews by fitz saying he had unfinished business in clare while still wexford boss set huge alarm bells ringing ,

    all that came out together in a short space of time either side of christmas , rumors are rampant around the county that he has his sights on this job over the next 5 or 6 years which is expect to coincide with a good young crop of young hurlers making there way through the development squads at the moment

    are you telling me 30 out of say 50 clubs will vote against him if he ran again , not if daddy is still at the wheel


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Fitz has the job next year, it's a known fact around the place that he's gotten the gig regardless of this years performance. Kilmaley's new ground has been closed because of "Health & Safety", nothing to do with Conor Clancy tweeting about certain people.

    Our county board is the most corrupt organisation going and that's not going to change any time soon no matter what we want to happen.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 184 ✭✭Donald Trumped


    Clareman wrote: »
    Fitz has the job next year, it's a known fact around the place that he's gotten the gig regardless of this years performance. Kilmaley's new ground has been closed because of "Health & Safety", nothing to do with Conor Clancy tweeting about certain people.

    Our county board is the most corrupt organisation going and that's not going to change any time soon no matter what we want to happen.

    In the midst of this chaos, one must feel for the Clare players who have done nothing to deserve more years of overtraining, flogging, shouting and roaring at them, bad man-management and a lack of respect to referees and the media.

    Going back to 2014 and that incident between DF and Clare Champion journalist Peter O'Connell post-Wexford match in the Park, was a terrible act on behalf of DF. Added to threatening and humiliating certain players in front of the team in early 2015, for a "breach of the DF discipline book". Plus the shocking treatment of Colin Ryan in his final days in his 1st stint as Clare manager. Awful things to do and to be honest, I don't think he shown the remorse for those actions, that makes him worthy of him returning as manager in the Banner County next year.

    Yet the yes men in the county board want to tear up the history books and pretend as if there's nothing to see here or in this case look back on, despite all of his failings, some of which I have explained in the above, in particular the more high profile ones anyways. It was truly remarkable and showed the immense character of the Clare team (I won't give DF an ounce of credit for this) that they could win an All-Ireland and league title between 2013 and 2016. In my mind if Paul Kinnerk was not around, Davy's reign as Clare hurling boss would have been an catastrophic disaster.

    I can guarantee you one thing. Kinnerk and DF are no longer friends. They are not even on speaking terms, so its very much wishful thinking to suggest that Paul will return to Clare in any capacity, let alone joining alliances with DF.

    This DF reunion with Clare in 2020 and beyond is destined to fail. Many players on this year's panel will not return in any capacity that sees DF back at the helm. Interest in the Clare hurling team will plummet. Don't forget the dreaded "sweeper" method that DF continues to promote in spite of its clear negatives. It's so outdated.

    Added to his agendas against certain people, be prepared for a minimum of 3 years of DF antics and mayhem both on and off the field. It may be worthy of Hollywood material but on the pitch, it will be a complete disaster from day one.

    Some may think that I'm a little over critical about DF, to whom to be fair has done great things in relation to charity and that has to be respected too. But that generosity and humility that he shows at times off the pitch, is not replicated when he wears the banisteoir bib. For whatever reason he turns on people very easily which makes him such a character of hate for many, not helped by his father, who has such a poor relationship with so many people that cross swords with him.

    As you say Clareman, the CCB is without doubt one of the most corrupt organisations that's out there in the country at present. It makes Frank Murphy act like the Pope, when you compare to our current county secretary. He should be ashamed for his behavior when you consider the role he has. The whole lot of them in the county board have let Clare GAA down for far too long. But without any dissenting voices from the clubs and delegates representing them at county board meetings, then the status quo will remain.

    I for one continue to hope for the best for Clare GAA. But as time goes on, so too does my faith in the game take a nosedive. The future will continue to get bleaker by the day for GAA in the county, as long as the current executive stay in situ.

    Lets hope that we have a Sunday Times v John Delaney moment, Clare GAA style, and some brave young journalist will look into the affairs into the running of the county board here in Clare. It looks like that's the only hope for real change and accountability which is so desperately missing not just in Clare GAA, but throughout Ireland in general. As the old saying goes, its the hope however small that maybe, that kills you.


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    No-one is getting near the Tsar, I think Conor Clancy has the join most inter-county medals of a Clare player and he tweeted about a disgraceful scene at an inter-county challenge, what happens next? Kilmaley's new ground is deemed unsuitable for matches because of "health and safety", other clubs will see this and won't say anything about anything because they'll be worried about protecting their own little kingdom.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,210 ✭✭✭✭Fitz*


    That really is a horrible state of affairs to be in with closing their ground. Have to feel sorry for the club.


  • Registered Users Posts: 722 ✭✭✭caddy16


    Clareman wrote: »
    No-one is getting near the Tsar, I think Conor Clancy has the join most inter-county medals of a Clare player and he tweeted about a disgraceful scene at an inter-county challenge, what happens next? Kilmaley's new ground is deemed unsuitable for matches because of "health and safety", other clubs will see this and won't say anything about anything because they'll be worried about protecting their own little kingdom.
    This is appalling if true which I have no doubt it is. When will clubs say enough is enough?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    Clareman wrote: »
    Fitz has the job next year, it's a known fact around the place that he's gotten the gig regardless of this years performance. Kilmaley's new ground has been closed because of "Health & Safety", nothing to do with Conor Clancy tweeting about certain people.

    Our county board is the most corrupt organisation going and that's not going to change any time soon no matter what we want to happen.

    it wont be next year , it will be in the next few years yes , but a few players have to reach the end of there careers yet before he will be back


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,274 ✭✭✭Figerty


    it wont be next year , it will be in the next few years yes , but a few players have to reach the end of there careers yet before he will be back

    Daly and Brian Lohan should be well ahead of him in the queue.
    And there may be a few more as well.


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭sasol


    sasol wrote: »

    how do you stop it from happening again, county board is full of yes men , bruiser getting the minor job then fitz getting the sixmilebridge gig in a short space of time alone with a few interviews by fitz saying he had unfinished business in clare while still wexford boss set huge alarm bells ringing ,

    all that came out together in a short space of time either side of christmas , rumors are rampant around the county that he has his sights on this job over the next 5 or 6 years which is expect to coincide with a good young crop of young hurlers making there way through the development squads at the moment

    are you telling me 30 out of say 50 clubs will vote against him if he ran again , not if daddy is still at the wheel

    If the clubs don’t take a stand then Clare are a county of sheep.

    You would expect people like Brian Lohan, Jamsie o Connor, Conor Clancy et al to take a stand and publicly voice their opinions.

    Peter o Connell needs to stand up and be counted.

    Anthony Daly needs to express his interest in the job.

    There are plenty of ways to disrupt the return, if the appetite is there. And if the appetite is not there, then god help Clare hurling


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Why does it have to be the players of the 90s? Why does it have to be those 3?

    The problem with Clare is Pat Fitz, pure and simple, but there's no-one either willing or with the backing to replace him


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭sasol


    Because those are the players who have already spoken against him


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    sasol wrote: »
    Because those are the players who have already spoken against him

    Exactly, they are the players, well former players, until a few administrators start to try to oust him nothing will happen.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭sasol


    Clareman wrote: »
    Exactly, they are the players, well former players, until a few administrators start to try to oust him nothing will happen.

    True, but if ex-players like those publicly oppose the return, then others may follow suit. If the return is meekly allowed , without opposition like 2012, then god help us


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    Clareman wrote: »
    Why does it have to be the players of the 90s? Why does it have to be those 3?

    The problem with Clare is Pat Fitz, pure and simple, but there's no-one either willing or with the backing to replace him

    how do you get rid of him , have you ever heard of a treasure been sacked form a county board , he was put there by croke park there is nothing clubs or ex players can really do


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    He's the secretary, if clubs were to bring a vote against him then Croke Park wouldn't have a choice but to remove him from the position, he's not far off retirement though at this stage so that'll be the only way to get rid of him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    Clareman wrote: »
    He's the secretary, if clubs were to bring a vote against him then Croke Park wouldn't have a choice but to remove him from the position, he's not far off retirement though at this stage so that'll be the only way to get rid of him.

    and you are aware that his daughter is in line to take over his position if he dose retire which would be a disaster , the gaa really need to review this process of secretary's in county boards especially after what frank murphy got away with in the end down in cork


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    My understanding is that the daughter was in line but because of "issues" with the Clare Supporters thing that she'll never be near the top table


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭sasol


    how do you get rid of him , have you ever heard of a treasure been sacked form a county board , he was put there by croke park there is nothing clubs or ex players can really do

    He is secretary.

    In the immediate term, I am more worried about junior getting back in, and there is plenty that clubs and ex players can do about that.....if the appetite is there to do so


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    sasol wrote: »
    He is secretary.

    In the immediate term, I am more worried about junior getting back in, and there is plenty that clubs and ex players can do about that.....if the appetite is there to do so

    i rushed my post earlier today sorry , he is secretary and a whole lot more with it :rolleyes:

    my belief is that this maybe gerry and donal's last year due to both having top jobs for the companies they both work for
    if it is there last it wont be junior that takes up the helm , here's why

    1. anthony daly stepped aside from the process to allow gerry and donal get the gig the last time , he had said he didnt want to run against them especially if it divided opinion in the county , he has not put his name in the hat for an inter county job since and is waiting to take over next

    2 fitz wont get the backing of the full squad , why ? he left the post at the end of 2016 after asking the players to have a vote if they wanted a change or not they voted for a change i doubt they would be as quick to vote him back

    3 transition , at some point over the next 3 or 4 years whoever gets the job next will have to oversee a transition of some sort this would not suite fitz who just wants to win , a number of players have already suffered burn out , i imagine players like kelly podge and galvin who have given so much to the county wont play too much hurling into there 30s john conlon is probably the first of our golden generation of u21 players to have hit the 30 mark lately

    there is a fine bunch of kids on the way through ,we will probably see more of them at minor level next year ,including this year and last years u17s they are all about 5 years away from becoming intercounty hurlers

    4 underage , his sidekick bruiser lynch is already in at u17 level as manager at the moment , dont be surprised if fitz takes up this role or u20s role first , from there he can implement his game plan early rather then waiting for them to come to him at senior level

    as one high profile hurling man in the county put it , in ten years time we could have some of the best players in the country playing with two sweepers :rolleyes:


    were safe at inter county level for the moment at senior level any way ;)


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭sasol


    i rushed my post earlier today sorry , he is secretary and a whole lot more with it :rolleyes:

    my belief is that this maybe gerry and donal's last year due to both having top jobs for the companies they both work for
    if it is there last it wont be junior that takes up the helm , here's why

    1. anthony daly stepped aside from the process to allow gerry and donal get the gig the last time , he had said he didnt want to run against them especially if it divided opinion in the county , he has not put his name in the hat for an inter county job since and is waiting to take over next

    2 fitz wont get the backing of the full squad , why ? he left the post at the end of 2016 after asking the players to have a vote if they wanted a change or not they voted for a change i doubt they would be as quick to vote him back

    3 transition , at some point over the next 3 or 4 years whoever gets the job next will have to oversee a transition of some sort this would not suite fitz who just wants to win , a number of players have already suffered burn out , i imagine players like kelly podge and galvin who have given so much to the county wont play too much hurling into there 30s john conlon is probably the first of our golden generation of u21 players to have hit the 30 mark lately

    there is a fine bunch of kids on the way through ,we will probably see more of them at minor level next year ,including this year and last years u17s they are all about 5 years away from becoming intercounty hurlers

    4 underage , his sidekick bruiser lynch is already in at u17 level as manager at the moment , dont be surprised if fitz takes up this role or u20s role first , from there he can implement his game plan early rather then waiting for them to come to him at senior level

    as one high profile hurling man in the county put it , in ten years time we could have some of the best players in the country playing with two sweepers :rolleyes:


    were safe at inter county level for the moment at senior level any way ;)

    I hope you’re right about your short term vision


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Looking at the current Clare setup.

    There's a group of 25/26 year olds that have won all Ireland's
    There's a potential group of under 15/16


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭windy shepard henderson


    Clareman wrote: »
    Looking at the current Clare setup.

    There's a group of 25/26 year olds that have won all Ireland's
    There's a potential group of under 15/16

    in a nutshell yes , but i think it is slightly unfair on last years u17 team , a number of them are 18 this year and missed out on minor level with the change around , so i reckon they will make up a fairly competitive u20 team later in the year too

    its no bad place to be in better then where we were this time 10 years ago , but a team of 25/26 year olds needs to be taken with a pinch of salt the likes of podge , tony kelly and shane o'donnell all fall into this bracket but are all coming close 10 inter county seasons , 2012 most of them made there debuts and have huge millage on the clock they already have 7 seasons of this level behind them , how much more can they give ?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,014 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Most of the current crop of players have over a decade of slogging done for Clare at this stage, they started at under 16 development, got to an All Ireland Minor, then to the under 21s and straight to seniors, lots of them have never had a summer holiday.


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