Kelly to be ratified as Clare ladies’ manager

KILKEE’S Darragh Kelly will be ratified as Clare senior ladies’ football manager at next Tuesday’s county board meeting.

A current Kilkee and former Clare senior footballer, the St Flannan’s school teacher was joint manager, along with Naomh Eoin’s Patrick Foley, of the All-Ireland intermediate championship-winning West Clare Gaels ladies’ team in 2010.
Prior to winning intermediate Munster and All-Ireland titles, West Clare Gaels won their first Clare senior title that year.
A holder of two senior club medals, won in 2003 and 2005, Kelly was part of the original Clare ladies’ senior management team earlier this year.
He stepped down from that role but now succeeds Noelle Comyn, who announced her decision to resign from the manager’s role on Sunday, May 20. The former Clare dual player had been in the position for five months.
“It was a natural progression. Darragh was in the mix right at the start and was approached about the role way before Noelle came on the scene,” Clare ladies’ county board chairman Alan Copley told The Clare Champion.
“He couldn’t commit to it at the time because he’s teaching by day and farming but he helped Noelle out a good bit at various training sessions. That brought a good mix because he’s got a great approach to training and tactical knowledge,” the county chairman added.
Kelly has taken a number of ladies’ sessions over the last couple of weeks, where he has been helped out on a couple of occasions by Clare midfielder, Gary Brennan.
“The girls asked him to come in during those interim weeks. There were a couple of other people in there as well and we’d like to thank them for helping. It seemed logical to appoint Darragh and given the time frame involved, we couldn’t go on a big hunt either.
“Once we had someone of Darragh’s calibre on our doorstep, that wasn’t necessary. We’re delighted he stepped in because he’s very familiar with the team,” Copley concluded.
Clare will play All-Ireland champions Cork in the Munster semi-final championship on June 29 at a Cork venue. The losers will play Kerry the following week on Wednesday, July 4 to decide who will qualify for the Munster final.
If Clare lose to Cork, they will have home advantage against Kerry. The Munster final is scheduled for July 14.
Clare’s last competitive game was their Division 2 league semi-final defeat to Galway in Birr on April 29.