Chairman not worried about possible hurlers’ strike

Clare County Board chairman, Michael O’Neill is adamant that the stand-off between the Clare senior hurlers and county manager Mike McNamara will not result in a Cork-style players’ strike.
The county chairman also re-affirmed his and the board’s backing for the current manager.
“I don’t see this as being similar to any other situation in the country. It’s an internal problem that we have in Clare at the minute,” the Ballyea man told The Clare Champion on Wednesday.
“That would be hypothetical. There certainly is no fear in my mind of that happening,” he added with reference to the threat of a players’ strike if the board continue to support McNamara, despite the fact that 27 players have sent a signed letter to the county board seeking his removal from the post.
“The secretary has received the signed letter. I wouldn’t even comment on that to be honest,” O’Neill said.
However, he stressed that his support for McNamara at the October 27 county board meeting remains intact.
“Nothing has changed. What I undertook to do at the county board meeting last Tuesday night week is still the same,” he stressed.
At that board meeting, McNamara was assured that his extended two-year term would not be cut short.
O’Neill confirmed, however, that he is in talks with the manager and some Clare panellists this week.
“I’m still in negotiations with the different parties and that will be ongoing for a few more days. I will have discussions with the players and the management as I undertook to do last week,” he concluded.