The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
John Bourke was formally appointed to the Clare ladies’ senior football manager’s position on Monday.
He succeeds Darragh Kelly, who managed Clare during the 2012 championship, while Noelle Comyn managed Clare in last year’s league. The new manager has already completed two sessions with the senior panel.
“He loves ladies’ football, he has a good knowledge of the rules,” board chairman Davy Browne revealed, when endorsing the new manager. Clare are due to play Fermanagh, at a Clare venue, in the opening round of the NFL Division 2 on Sunday, February 3.
However, the new manager could be without some of his leading players, including Eimear and Ailish Considine, Niamh O’Dea and Emma O’Driscoll, as Kilmaley are due to play their intermediate All-Ireland camogie semi-final on the same day in Kilkenny.
The board chairman said attempts have been made to alter the date but that Fermanagh were committed to travelling on February 3. The meeting heard John Bourke has yet to appoint selectors and has indicated Clare minors would ideally train with the seniors.
Meanwhile, a letter from Crusheen Ladies’ Football Club informed the meeting they would not be competing at senior level while Meelick and Parteen revealed they were planning to amalgamate under the East Clare Gaels banner.
However, because Crusheen, Meelick or Parteen were not represented at the AGM, it was decided to postpone both decisions until the February county board meeting.
