Rumours rife in Clare, Limerick and Tipp

WITH the hurling managerial positions still to be filled in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, speculation is rife about the successors to Dave Keane, Cyril Lyons and Michael Doyle.

One name on the list for the Limerick job is former Midleton star Sean O’Brien, who steered Cork to All-Ireland intermediate success this year.

Former Galway manager Cyril Farrell could be a dark-horse in Clare should the County Board decide to go for an outsider.

In Tipperary, former player Dinny Cahill has ruled himself out of contention, opting instead to complete his contract with Ulster champions Antrim, who performed very impressively against Wexford in the Guinness All-Ireland quarter final in August.

It appears the front-runners for the Tipp job are former stars Michael Cleary and John McIntyre, and this year’s U21 manager Seamus Power.

Cleary, who is still playing club hurling with Nenagh, is also involved as coach to a number of the club’s under age sides. His biggest claim to coaching fame was leading the Tipperary camogie team to three successive All-Ireland senior titles.

McIntyre, from Lorrha but now living in Galway, previously managed Offaly and also coached Clarinbridge to their first Galway senior hurling championship two years ago.

Apart from Cyril Farrell, among those being touted for the Clare job are Kevin Kennedy, Sean Stack and Colm Honan.

Kennedy, from the St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield club, was manager when Clare won their first and only All-Ireland minor hurling crown in 1997. It is understood that if he was appointed he would put in place his own coach and trainer and would try to bring Mike McNamara, currently in charge of Offaly, on board.

A star hurler, Sean Stack was a selector in the first Ger Loughnane administration, while Colm Honan from the Clonlara club, won two National League medals at half forward with Clare on the same team as Stack.

There is little talk of any high-profile local figures chasing the Limerick job but that could change when clubs submit their nominations to fill the vacant position.

However, there is strong speculation Sean O’Brien could be offered the post; succeeding fellow Corkman Dave Keane, recently voted out of office after only one year at the helm.

O’Brien’s credentials are impressive. Winner of Dr Harty Cup and All-Ireland senior colleges medals with St. Colman’s, Fermoy, he won an intermediate county and all four senior county championships with Midleton.

He has coached Cork to two All-Ireland intermediate triumphs and also enjoyed county championship success as coach to both Valley Rovers and Courcey Rovers.