English a dark horse for Clare football role

The committee appointed to seek a county senior football manager has met about five times but has yet to decide upon a manager or management team.

However, current Duhallow manager Ned English from Cork has emerged as a contender for the manager’s post and has met with members of the committee.

Among those also believed to be in contention to be part of a perspective management team are Michael Neylon (St Joseph’s, Miltown), Ger Keane (Kilkee), Galway man Tom Newell, who is currently part of the St Joseph’s, Miltown management team, former Kerry coach Donie Buckley, who is in the US this week and Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane). However, Newell has also been linked with the Galway U-21 football post. While that is not a definitive list of those in contention, speculation regarding the possible appointment of former Limerick and Laois manager Liam Kearns is inaccurate. The Kerry man and Limerick-based garda ruled himself out of contention to succeed Micheál McDermott last Friday.

Former Clare hurling All-Star Colin Lynch was approached by an individual from the committee but expressed no interest in becoming involved at this stage. Current Kilrush manager Aidan Moloney, who has publicly expressed interest in being part of the new management team, has not been approached. This is despite the fact that Kilrush are the most improved team in Clare club football in 2012 under Moloney’s management. While Mick O’Dwyer has been mentioned as a contender, some Clare panellists are believed to favour a younger appointment.

This time last year, Clare’s individual strength and conditioning programme was already underway. While a management team shouldn’t be rushed into place just to get the job done, the Clare County Board might consider asking outgoing strength and conditioning coach Micheál Cahill to oversee Clare’s early season fitness regime in the coming weeks. It will be up to the newly appointed manager to decide whether to retain the Limerick man but at least the players would be in good shape at the start of 2013.