Clare GAA discussion thread

IRISHSPORTSGUY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jFU9CEpcdY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bURDpNjYCVc

Duignan comes across as too cocky for my liking. He would do well to show more modesty like the part when Pilkington was mentioned having a chat with Daly.

eroo

I genuinely believe we can beat Galway today. We faded out of the Championship last season, but if we can take Galway's scalp this evening it will put us on the right path.

It may well be tougher than the Tipp match, as Galway seem to have everyone against them.. even their own seem to think we can beat them! It will be a major test, but if we come out all guns blazing we can panic Galway.

Hon the BANNER!

eroo

Clare team for Galway:

P Brennan, P Vaughan, C Dillon, C Cooney, P O'Connor, P Donnellan, J McInerney, J Clancy, N O'Connell, J Conlon, F Lynch, D McMahon, C McInerney, C Morey, C McGrath

ShamoBuc

A fair beating tonight. Full back line was under a fair bit of pressure and buckled somewhat. Galway did turn up and played some nice hurling. The sending off certainly did not help but the writing was on the wall long before that.

Leroy Lita

stick to the trad music

Lapin

davidhick77 wrote: »

2 point win for clare over galway im predicting

There's still time.

kraggy

Mary Morrissey saying that this victory "deletes" the performance against Dublin makes me...speechless.

Galway will not get such space, time and respect against any other opponent in the next round(s).

kraggy

Mary Morrissey saying that this victory "deletes" the performance against Dublin makes me...speechless.

Galway will not get such space, time and respect against any other opponent in the next round(s).

That said, 2 things can be taken from this...

1. More forwards scored...MORE, than the last game.

2. A win is a win.

But, this is Galway so who knows...

eroo

Our defense, bar Dillon in places, was shocking tonight. Brennan saved us from an even greater hammering, as did NOC. Goals have killed us all season, as well as watching the sliothar instead of your man and the open spaces. Our lads just did not show up tonight, and I think Sparrow has a lot of explaining to do as well as his trainer.. our lads are so far behind on their strength and conditioning too.

To add insult to injury, Gerry Quinn was brought on. That man should be booted off the panel as soon as possible. H hasn't started a single game this year, and came on once during the League afaik. He's a disgrace to the jersey.

Gutted.

FlutterinBantam

kraggy wrote: »

Mary Morrissey saying that this victory "deletes" the performance against Dublin makes me...speechless.

Galway will not get such space, time and respect against any other opponent in the next round(s).

That said, 2 things can be taken from this...

1. More forwards scored...MORE, than the last game.

2. A win is a win.

But, this is Galway so who knows...

Exactly... Galway still unproven.

Can they win the hard games played on the concrete?

In other words, tough fcuking hurling.


Jury out.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

What does everyone think about Sparrow's managerial position now? Surely time for a change?

CiaranMT

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

What does everyone think about Sparrow's managerial position now? Surely time for a change?

Been saying this since before the league, an outside manager is needed.

Or at least a proper backs coach. Liam Doyle will always be revered for exploits in the 90's, but it's clear that a change is needed at the back. 12 goals conceded in 3 games against Limerick, Tipp, and now Galway. Something has to be done.

One_More_Mile

Sparrows biggest inditement is in the defensive stakes, 4 goals against limerick in the League final(at home), 4 goal against Tipp & 4 goals tonight leaked against Galway. Forwards are class, Backs & Goalkeeper are a basket case. If the next manager can address his then they are going places.

One_More_Mile

CiaranMT wrote: »

Been saying this since before the league, an outside manager is needed.

Or at least a proper backs coach. Liam Doyle will always be revered for exploits in the 90's, but it's clear that a change is needed at the back. 12 goals conceded in 3 games against Limerick, Tipp, and now Galway. Something has to be done.

Same minute-Great minds!

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Sparrow is a ledge, but his tenure has been an absolute disaster.

billo.d86

eroo wrote: »

Our defense, bar Dillon in places, was shocking tonight. Brennan saved us from an even greater hammering, as did NOC. Goals have killed us all season, as well as watching the sliothar instead of your man and the open spaces. Our lads just did not show up tonight, and I think Sparrow has a lot of explaining to do as well as his trainer.. our lads are so far behind on their strength and conditioning too.

To add insult to injury, Gerry Quinn was brought on. That man should be booted off the panel as soon as possible. H hasn't started a single game this year, and came on once during the League afaik. He's a disgrace to the jersey.

Gutted.

Sorry my man, but Gerry Quinn doesnt pick the team, he has been singled out since he had a fight with that goul mike mc afew years bk. The disgrace is that James McInerney is in that team ahead of Bugler or Quinn they might be rash at times but at least they can hurl unlike JMCI, hes a bigger disaster since Connoe Plunkett playing centre back, at least he only lasted 1 match, we had to suffer this fool for 2 shocking defensive displays.

But Cooney was roasted by Hayes and should have been switched after the first ball.

Dillon was the only back who stood out.

Conor McGrath was given no ball.......I mean no ball they didnt even try to pick him out.

Then in the final few mins, instead of dropping balls into the square(not that it probably would have done much!) to get a goal that would have made it not look as bad, we had glory shots that Niall Moran would have been embarassed shooting for.

Sparrow has a lot to answer for, they we no where near the pace, and none of the intensity that inspired the start against Tipp. Not to come out after the game is shocking, I think he should just pack up and clear off to be honest, he has not brought the team on at all.

billo.d86

One_More_Mile wrote: »

Sparrows biggest inditement is in the defensive stakes, 4 goals against limerick in the League final(at home), 4 goal against Tipp & 4 goals tonight leaked against Galway. Forwards are class, Backs & Goalkeeper are a basket case. If the next manager can address his then they are going places.

No one can describe Diarmuid McMahon or Fergal Lynch as class sorry man, they are DIRT!

eroo

Sorry billo, but Gerry Quinn has not hurled well at inter county level for years. He should retire asap.

Leroy Lita

eroo wrote: »

To add insult to injury, Gerry Quinn was brought on. That man should be booted off the panel as soon as possible. H hasn't started a single game this year, and came on once during the League afaik. He's a disgrace to the jersey.

Gutted.

why exactly is Gerry Quinn a disgrace to the jersey?
he is defiantly good enough to start on the clare team.

coffeelover

I think Gerry Quinn should definitley have been allowed start.
Diarmuid McMahon and Fergal Lynch have to go though. Useless the two of them!

LuckyGent88

What a complete and utter disaster last night. We were an absolute shambles from the start to the end. In the first 5 minutes alone our players missed 6/7 easy pick-ups.

Clearly our weakness is in defense and in conceeding goals especially. The term "schoolboy defending" comes to mind. Our defense just arent up to the speed of championship hurling which is probably a combination of poor strength & conditioning plus division 2 hurling.

We have actually scored decent totals in our two games which i was surprised with and of course the main positive to take from this year is the performances of NOC & McGrath. The likes of Lynch & McMahon need to be dropped as they are just not good enough for this level.

Sparrow & his coaching staff have an awful lot to answer for and i think a change is needed badly.very poor coaching as was evident from our skill-levels, poor tactics and too slow in making the necessary changes. However i think the county board are only waiting for Davy Fitz to become available from sources i have heard from.

eroo

Leroy Lita wrote: »

why exactly is Gerry Quinn a disgrace to the jersey?
he is defiantly good enough to start on the clare team.

coffeelover wrote: »

I think Gerry Quinn should definitley have been allowed start.
Diarmuid McMahon and Fergal Lynch have to go though. Useless the two of them!

Have either of you been watching the team this season!? Or last season??

Or are you as out of touch as Marty Morrissey was when he suggested Quinn should come on? Quinn has no commitment to the cause and even less leadership. He withdrew from match day panel several times this year. He is not starting because he is not fit enough, and not good enough. The idealists among Clare fans see him as royalty, and for no reason. It's terrible that he gets a place on the panel over someone who might actually try to play.

EDIT: Why should he start so, as opposed to D Mac and Lynch?

CiaranMT

Quinn is certainly good enough.

He's also far from committed to the cause.

buck65

Quinn is one of the finest wing backs in the game, he just couldn't be bothered. Attitude, work ethic, pride, non existant. He would poison those young lads.

Clareman

I've waited a few days before posting anything on the disaster that was Saturday night, I wasn't at the game so I might be wrong in a number of things from what I saw, but imvho:
We have conceded 8 goals in 2 championship games, that's not good enough.
We have scored 1 goal in 2 championship games, that's not good enough.
We don't have a full back.
We don't have a center back.
We don't seem to have a game plan.
We can't react to things that are happening on the pitch.

Whatever about the above, I think the biggest issue is the apparant lack of a game plan, looking at the last 2 games it appears to me that the plan is for the backs to clear the ball anywhere and the forwards to fight for it, with 1 of the best forwards ever to come out of Clare managing the team I can't believe this, there doesn't seem to be any plan for directed play at any stage.

I know everyone has great hope for the Under 21s from 2 years ago, but the fact of the matter is you aren't going to win any game of senior hurling if you don't have a full or center back or a game plan. I know it's very easy to hark back to the glory years of the 90s, but could you imagine any of the Clare team from last Saturday playing the last few minutes of a match with a broken colar bone?

It's very easy to lay the blame at Sparrow, but I think the issues run a lot deeper than that and if something isn't done quickly we'll have more and more summers as neutrals from July on. If I was given a clear slate of how to improve things in Clare I would
Get a fitness/conditioning coach in place, far too often were players second to the ball.
Develop a stragedy for Clare hurling. Get a game plan in place, are we going to build on a solid platform from the back? rely on the forwards?
Find a "target man" forward. On too many occasions are the forwards losing out on possession and giving up on the play, this allowed the opposition backs the opportunity to direct great ball to their forwards. I honest believe that Clare wouldn't have won as much in the 90s without Conor Clancy doing the donkey work and making it difficult for the backs to get clean possession.
Be willing to make substitions. If something isn't working after 5 minutes, don't wait until the 60th to make a change. Tipp were in trouble on the left side of their defence against Clare, what did they do? They substituted their left wing & corner backs at half time.

I don't think getting rid of Sparrow will solve our issues, I don't think he should have been appointed in the first place, we need to cut the cord between now and the 90s, but I don't think it will do any good to make changes for the sake of making changes, I also don't think that anyone from outside the county would be interested in taking the job. We are looking for a very specialised manager who will be able to turn under 21s into seniors, Limerick couldn't do it, we need to learn from others.

premierstone

Clareman wrote: »

I've waited a few days before posting anything on the disaster that was Saturday night, I wasn't at the game so I might be wrong in a number of things from what I saw, but imvho:
We have conceded 8 goals in 2 championship games, that's not good enough.
We have scored 1 goal in 2 championship games, that's not good enough.
We don't have a full back.
We don't have a center back.
We don't seem to have a game plan.
We can't react to things that are happening on the pitch.

Whatever about the above, I think the biggest issue is the apparant lack of a game plan, looking at the last 2 games it appears to me that the plan is for the backs to clear the ball anywhere and the forwards to fight for it, with 1 of the best forwards ever to come out of Clare managing the team I can't believe this, there doesn't seem to be any plan for directed play at any stage.

I know everyone has great hope for the Under 21s from 2 years ago, but the fact of the matter is you aren't going to win any game of senior hurling if you don't have a full or center back or a game plan. I know it's very easy to hark back to the glory years of the 90s, but could you imagine any of the Clare team from last Saturday playing the last few minutes of a match with a broken colar bone?

It's very easy to lay the blame at Sparrow, but I think the issues run a lot deeper than that and if something isn't done quickly we'll have more and more summers as neutrals from July on. If I was given a clear slate of how to improve things in Clare I would
Get a fitness/conditioning coach in place, far too often were players second to the ball.
Develop a stragedy for Clare hurling. Get a game plan in place, are we going to build on a solid platform from the back? rely on the forwards?
Find a "target man" forward. On too many occasions are the forwards losing out on possession and giving up on the play, this allowed the opposition backs the opportunity to direct great ball to their forwards. I honest believe that Clare wouldn't have won as much in the 90s without Conor Clancy doing the donkey work and making it difficult for the backs to get clean possession.
Be willing to make substitions. If something isn't working after 5 minutes, don't wait until the 60th to make a change. Tipp were in trouble on the left side of their defence against Clare, what did they do? They substituted their left wing & corner backs at half time.

I don't think getting rid of Sparrow will solve our issues, I don't think he should have been appointed in the first place, we need to cut the cord between now and the 90s, but I don't think it will do any good to make changes for the sake of making changes, I also don't think that anyone from outside the county would be interested in taking the job. We are looking for a very specialised manager who will be able to turn under 21s into seniors, Limerick couldn't do it, we need to learn from others.

Agree with most of what you say Clareman, clares forwards are well good enough and midfield is also above average - the only possible weakness from 8-15 is McMahon and Lynch, but with Honan back fully fit physically and mentally, one of these could make way, McMahon imo.

The real problems are from 1-7 and despite one excellent save saturday, a new keeper is a must, also alot of the FB lines problems are stemming fron Centre Back, Clare need a commanding figure here, I would possibly consider moving Nicky O'Donnell back here, certainly in two years time or so when Tony Kelly can take hes place in midfield.

I respect your point about Tipp making the quick and decisive move or replacing the left hand side of their defence at half time, but just two things about this, firstly it was suicidal for Tipp to line up with two unproven rookies on the same side of their defence in the first place and secondly with all due respect to Clare do they have the quality on the bench to come in against a rampant Galway attack?

I also disagree with you saying that no-one from outside the county would be interested in the job, if indeed it becomes available, a lot of shrewd judges would jump at the chance to take over in Clare, the talent is definitely there and as I have said in another thread I expect Clare to be the next team to lift Liam outside of KK and Tipp.

Mountainlad

premierstone wrote: »

I also disagree with you saying that no-one from outside the county would be interested in the job, if indeed it becomes available, a lot of shrewd judges would jump at the chance to take over in Clare, the talent is definitely there and as I have said in another thread I expect Clare to be the next team to lift Liam outside of KK and Tipp.

Depends on who their next manager is. They seem to be still a bit further behind than I thought. I think it will be at least 3-4 years before they even win Munster. Do you believe Kilkenny and Tipp will share the title over the next 4 years? Something has to give in my opinion, and I think it's still Waterford and Galway that lead the race in being the next team to win an all-ireland.

Clareman

Clare ideally need an established manager who can bring a bunch of younger players through, a bit like Len Gaynor in the early 90s, but as I mentioned earlier, it's a bit late for that.

Next year we have to get out of division 2, if only to win an important game, we'll also have to win a Championship game. At this stage I would have Clare below almost every other team in the Championship, I reckon Laois could give us a run for our money at this stage, and I don't mean any disrespect to Laois by that, I know they beat us in the league already.

mccarthy37

Some very downbeat posts here that's a real pity when the future looks very bright for Clare.What do ye reckon your chances are against us in the minor final you know you are raging hot favorites for this one. We have a very talented side also. Has the makings of a great game. Keep positive lads its not that long ago that certain opposition would laugh at us.

premierstone

Clareman wrote: »

At this stage I would have Clare below almost every other team in the Championship, I reckon Laois could give us a run for our money at this stage, and I don't mean any disrespect to Laois by that, I know they beat us in the league already.

Think you are been far too harsh here Clareman, two defeats, one against the current AI champions and one away to probably the 3rd best team who are very hard to beat on their day hardly amounts to been the weakest team in the Liam McCarthy. A few tweaks and changes at the back and an injection of confidence and self belief and Clare are not that far away at all.

Clareman

If it wasn't for last year aswell I might think I'm being a bit harsh. 4 point loss in Munster, players happy enough with that, then a tonking against the next team. Yes Tipp are All Ireland champions, so that game is a bit of an anomaly, but we were still beaten by 9 points (15 points in the last 50 minutes).

Everyone is laying the blame at the backs, and yes a lot of blame has to be put on their shoulders, but we only scored 1 goal in 2 games, and that was in the first minute of the first game, I think teams have shown that to win games you have to score goals.

I would put every team that has beaten us in the last couple of months (Limerick, Tipp & Galway) ahead of us, Kilkenny are also ahead of us. Dublin not only beat Galway, but also beat us easily last year, they are ahead. Waterford are definitely ahead of us, I think Cork are as well. The only teams we could be on a par with are Offaly, Wexford, Antrim and Laois, Westmeath gave Galway a better game than we did. Wexford beat us last year when it counted so they can be said to be ahead of us. It can be argued that Laois beating us in the league didn't count, but they are at least on a par with us.

We have conceded 68 points and scored 42 in 2 games, we have to realise that we are now behind everyone else and hoping for a crop of under 21s to bring us back to where we feel we belong isn't going to be enough.

In the past decade we've had the selectors, captain and goal scorers from the 90s team in charge, the only 1 that brought us anywhere was Cyril Lyons, who also brought us an Under 21. I've said it before, I'll say it again, we need to cut the cord to the 90s, not only with the management but also the county board, a massive clear out it needed.

eroo

I'm sorry but we are not on a par with Laois. Conceding 10-20 against Cork was atrocious, something I believe we would not let happen. Also their U21's were hockeyed this year. We are having good games at underage level.

I would put us in with Offaly, Wexford, Limerick and Antrim.

We have good players but they are not being developed sufficiently enough. Firstly, what our senior side needs is a Hurling coach. Someone who can literally focus on individuals and their hurling, much like a fitness coach would individualise a training programme. Regardless of what management side comes in, we need to someone who can work on the basics.

Secondly, we need a qualified Strength and Conditioning coach. Kilkenny, Tipp, Waterford, Cork etc have all got proper coaches. We have a trainer who was a succesful club rugby scrum half, who then trained a Cratloe side that would never have had much modern conditioning. We need someone who knows how to develop speed training, sports specific weightlifting, proper warm up's etc as well as regular screening and testing.

Clareman

I'd hope we're still ahead of Laois, they did beat us in the league though. We played Limerick twice this year and lost twice, they are ahead of us. Wexford beat us last year when it counted and have improved this year, I think they are still ahead of us, we could be considered on a par with Antrim and Offaly I guess, but both would have grounds to be ahead of us.

I agree with everything you're saying about having the proper setup in place, you are 100% correct.

LuckyGent88

Clareman wrote: »

I'd hope we're still ahead of Laois, they did beat us in the league though. We played Limerick twice this year and lost twice, they are ahead of us. Wexford beat us last year when it counted and have improved this year, I think they are still ahead of us, we could be considered on a par with Antrim and Offaly I guess, but both would have grounds to be ahead of us.

I agree with everything you're saying about having the proper setup in place, you are 100% correct.

i'd agree with you there Clareman. Limerick are clearly ahead of us at the moment and i put that firmly down to the manager they have in charge. He has brought great experience with coaching skills and the ability to make changes when necessary.
Id say we are on par with Wexford and Offaly and ahead of Laois ans Antrim although if we dont get our act together.

flahavaj

Laois hurling is a bit of a shambles since Rigney left. Clare are well ahead of them, anyone suggesting otherwise is exaggerating wildly. There is lots to be optimistic about for the future for Clare hurling, they could be celebrating another Minor munster on Sunday.

eroo

@Clareman.. League matches, unfortunately, can't be taken as exact standings because teams don't take them seriously enough. I believe we are capable of beating Antrim and Laois, while Limerick and Offaly would be either way.

We didn't succeed this year, but next year our only goal should be promotion to Div 1. Anything after that is a bonus. We have to be realistic. For example... 2012- Get promotion to Div 1.. 2013- Munster final or AI quarter final.. We need a plan.

Clareman

We should have had a 3 year plan in place when Sparrow took over after the player revolt, it should have been, year 1, get a spine of the team & contest to get out of div 2, anything else a bonus, year 2, expand on spine of team & definitely get into division 1, depending on draw, win a championship game, year 3, retain division 1 status & win at least 2 championship games.

Unfortunately we don't have a spine of a team and we will be trying to get out of division 2, but it's very easy to say what should have happened, we should concentrate on the future, which should be getting the spine of the team right.

Evil_Clown

Sparrow has resigned

Clare senior hurling manager resigns

07/07/2011 - 09:12:51
Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin has resigned as Clare senior hurling manager, following a two-year spell in charge.

Local radio station Clare FM reported that O'Loughlin told Clare GAA officials of his decision at a meeting last night.

He is the third high-profile hurling boss to step down in the last nine days, following in the footsteps of Offaly's Joe Dooley and Colm Bonnar of Wexford.

O'Loughlin's final game at Clare's helm was last Saturday's disappointing 17-point qualifier defeat to Galway, which ended their interest in the All-Ireland Championship.

Reflecting after that game, the 43-year-old said: "I'll have a very serious think about it (my position) now. It's like everything else, you give your heart and soul for the two years.

"When I went in, I knew after a couple of weeks we were starting off from a low base with regard to experienced players.

"I think we've made progress. Though the results are poor, we actually have a nucleus built now to go forward.

"We need an injection again now of five or six 18, 19, 20-year-olds in the next year or two. Clare will win something in the next maybe three years."

The Banner men conceded 12 goals in their last three competitive matches, including last month's Munster semi-final loss to Tipperary.

They failed to gain promotion from Allianz Hurling League Division 2, falling to Limerick in April's final, and lost all four of their Championship fixture during O'Loughlin's tenure.

A two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare as a player, 'Sparrow' took on the role in late 2009 after Mike McNamara tendered his resignation.

Before that, he had county title success with his own Clarecastle and Limerick club Adare.

LuckyGent88

Sparrow leaving was always going to happen. While he has introduced plenty of young player into the team and squad, he seems to have lacked a lot in experience in dealing with match situations and tactics. The failure of not getting Clare out of division 2 is what has held Clare back.

So who will take over now? While i would like Davy Fitz back i cant see it happening in next year or two as he has a great thing going on down in waterford. Same thing with Anthony Daly. That leaves the current u21 management setup as the favourites in my opinion from inside the county but maybe what we need is an experienced manager from outside the county.

billo.d86

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Sparrow leaving was always going to happen. While he has introduced plenty of young player into the team and squad, he seems to have lacked a lot in experience in dealing with match situations and tactics. The failure of not getting Clare out of division 2 is what has held Clare back.

So who will take over now? While i would like Davy Fitz back i cant see it happening in next year or two as he has a great thing going on down in waterford. Same thing with Anthony Daly. That leaves the current u21 management setup as the favourites in my opinion from inside the county but maybe what we need is an experienced manager from outside the county.

I thik we definately need a manager from outside the county, it has worked for a lot of other teams, last few appointments have been from within the county and they have failed.
Liam Sheedy??
Dooley maybe?

buck65

Timmy Dooley.

billo.d86

buck65 wrote: »

Timmy Dooley.

Timmy Fooley

CiaranMT

billo.d86 wrote: »

I thik we definately need a manager from outside the county, it has worked for a lot of other teams, last few appointments have been from within the county and they have failed.
Liam Sheedy??
Dooley maybe?

What I've been saying since before the league, aye. Some outside expertise is needed. And a proper backroom.

Can we kidnap O' Grady from Limerick? :pac:

ballykev

CiaranMT wrote: »

What I've been saying since before the league, aye. Some outside expertise is needed. And a proper backroom.

Can we kidnap O' Grady from Limerick? :pac:

o Grady is the man for this best hurling coach manager in the county by long way. not a hope of us getting him, defo need some one from outside the county with no ties to any clubs or certain players.

think sparrow should bring half the players with him!

Mountainlad

John Minogue? Is he still around? Did well with the 21s in 2009. I want to see Fitz leaving Waterford, but I like Clare so I don't want to see him heading over there.

opinionated3

.....fitzy is the only man for that job. you could take a look at the u21 management alright but in my opinion there is defo some good young talent coming thru and fitzy's attitude and tactical brains would help bring them on no end. if he was not available for the foreseeable future then donal o grady would be my choice but can't see him coming available anytime soon. Disappointing not to see sparrow having the same impact as we would all have liked. genuine man who has served his county excellently

premierstone

[QUOTE=LuckyGent88;73173425
So who will take over now? While i would like Davy Fitz back i cant see it happening in next year or two as he has a great thing going on down in waterford. Same thing with Anthony Daly. That leaves the current u21 management setup as the favourites in my opinion from inside the county but maybe what we need is an experienced manager from outside the county.[/QUOTE]

Davy Fitz will be gone from Waterford next year I think myself, unless the win or maybe get to an AI, but he would absolutely be the worst possible appointment for Clare, he is not exactly the type of manager you would want coming in to a young talented squad with potential the last thing they need is running up and down mountains with a lunatic roaring and balling at them they need to be nurtured, Richard Stakelum I think would be a good choice if its an outside man is wanted, great track record with young talented players and Im sure Daly would approve of the move.

premierstone

opinionated3 wrote: »

.....fitzy is the only man for that job. you could take a look at the u21 management alright but in my opinion there is defo some good young talent coming thru and fitzy's attitude and tactical brains would help bring them on no end. if he was not available for the foreseeable future then donal o grady would be my choice but can't see him coming available anytime soon. Disappointing not to see sparrow having the same impact as we would all have liked. genuine man who has served his county excellently

I'm sorry but my lunch just went all over my laptop :eek:

eroo

I would like to thank Ger O'Loughlin for the work he put in over the last 2 years as manager. He faced so many difficulties, with essentially bringing an U21 side through to senior. It's a pity he didn't do better but he tried, and was a 1000 times better than Mike Mac. I'm sure Sparrow will go on to manage again, maybe even some other inter county side that need development.

I would love Daly to manage us 2-3 years down the line, but until then we need someone whose sole aim is to develop a senior inter county panel. That means bringing in outside expertise such as Hurling Coach, Strength and Conditioning Coach etc.

LuckyGent88

Mountainlad wrote: »

John Minogue? Is he still around? Did well with the 21s in 2009. I want to see Fitz leaving Waterford, but I like Clare so I don't want to see him heading over there.

still in charge of the u21's who should go well again this year. Think that management team should be given a go in fairness. They have worked with the majority of the panel before and brought all-ireland glory to Clare.