Nealon rules himself out of manager’s job

Hotly tipped to be the next Clare senior football manager, Miltown Malbay’s Michael Nealon this week ruled himself out of being part of the new management team for 2014.

 

He cited pressure of work and family commitments as the reasons for withdrawing his name. “Workwise and family wise, I just would not have the time in the coming year. I would love to be involved and I really enjoyed last year. If time permitted, I would be very interested in being part of the management team,” he said.

According to the Miltown man, being part of the county management team “is a great challenge and I would hope, some time in the future, to get the opportunity to be involved again”.
“It’s a job that requires a lot of time and right now I am not in a position to give it the time it deserves. To do this right, one must give it 100%,” Nealon added.

Despite Clare’s failure to win promotion from Division 4 and their failure to win a championship game, Michael believes that the future is bright. “A good bit was achieved this year and we brought in a number of new players to the panel. The commitment they have shown is very encouraging and these are the guys that Clare football will be looking to going forward. They have a lot to offer and, clearly are very interested and they are at the right age,” he said.
County board chairman Michael McDonagh said he met with his fellow clubman on Tuesday afternoon. “He informed me that because of family commitments he was unable to give it the time he believes it deserves.  He will be a tremendous loss but I understand the position he is in.”

Paying tribute to Nealon and thanking him for his efforts last year, McDonagh said, “He is the type of mentor I would like to see in charge.”

The other outgoing selector from Mick O’Dwyer’s management team, Ger Keane, has yet to confirm whether or not he will be seeking another term.

Speaking to The Clare Champion this week, he said he is due to meet with board officials later this week to review the situation.
Chairman McDonagh said he sincerely hopes that Keane will be part of any new management team going forward. “He is a man that patrons would like to see in charge of a Clare football team.”

“Clare are in a building stage, where the senior team is concerned and it will take a number of years to get back up with the top sides. We have some great footballers in this county and they deserve the best support they can get. The county board, the clubs and the senior panel have to work together to put a management team in place that will bring Clare football to where it belongs,” he added.

Over the coming days, it is expected that members of the executive will meet with Kilkee native Keane when, it is understood, they will seek to convince him to take on the job of team manager.
There seems to be a view that the incoming management team should come from within the county. Should the board decide to look for someone from outside the county, Galway man and former Sligo boss Kevin Walsh could come into the reckoning.