Management ratified at stormy county board meeting

AT what was billed in the fixtures’ section of last week’s Clare Champion as a full county board meeting, including minutes, matters arising, correspondence, team management and Any Other Business, only one of those items made last Friday night’s agenda. That was the appointment of Mick O’Dwyer and his management team to oversee the Clare footballers for 2012.

County board chairman, Michael O’Neill told the gathering in the West County Hotel that it was a “special meeting” and that just one item would be dealt with. Many clubs were formally told of the meeting via email last Friday at 1.45pm, just hours before it was held.

“That’s the only proposal we’re taking here tonight,” O’Neill said in relation to his proposal of the new team management.

“The people who were delegated to do the job have done it. We’re proposing that tonight. I’m looking for a seconder. I’m taking no other proposals or no other seconders. I’m not taking any further conversation on this,” he added.

However, Doonbeg delegate Michael Neenan insisted on forwarding a counter proposal.

“I’m proposing that we go back to the clubs and let them come fully mandated [to the meeting on November 15], so that we will move forward, on a strong basis behind the management team, if they are going to be ratified with the full support of all the clubs in the county,” he said.

“You’re not bringing the clubs with you. You’re not bringing the county with you. I have nothing against the four people that you have named out. They’re great men. Put it to the clubs,” Neenan added.

“Mr Chairman, Clare football needs a direction,” former county board chairman Michael McDonagh interjected.

“You’ve two of the greatest young fellas, with Mick O’Dwyer, that’s in the county in Ger Keane and Michael Neylon. And by all accounts, Micheál Cahill. There’s no doubt that these lads are the future of Clare football.

“They need to get a decisive ‘yes’ here tonight. Or I’ll tell you one thing, you could come back in a week’s time and Michael Neenan, you’ll get the Clare team to look after. Because I’ll tell you one thing, these lads need support and it needs to go out here strong tonight. I’ll second that and I’m proud to second it,” he said.

“We’re trying to get these fellas on board, with 10 years, to look after teams and now when we have them inside we want to go back and discuss again. Every club has discussed that they’d like the likes of Ger Keane and Michael Neylon involved,” McDonagh insisted.

“I’ve had the seconder. I’m taking nothing else in relation to it. It’s ratified,” O’Neill stated.
Clarecastle delegate Bernard Hanrahan said he felt Neenan “had a point”, which Kilmihil delegate Gerry O’Neill concurred with.

“Chairman, I think the problem here is the delegates feel we’re being asked to come in here to say ‘yes’ without any debate or discussion on it. I think it needs to be aired before we make a decision on it. At least give people an opportunity to express their views,” he suggested.

“I’m not trying to be domineering. I would have thought that everybody would have discussed this before the September meeting,” O’Neill said.