Considine denies Galway management rumours

FORMER Clare selector and current Irish Examiner columnist Tony Considine yesterday moved to scotch rumours that he would be involved with the Galway hurlers next year.

“I have never expressed any interest in the Galway job,” he said. “I have not been approached by anybody about the Galway job. I have spoken to nobody about the Galway job, including Ger Loughnane.”

The former Clare manager is the man assumed by many to be in pole position to be the next Galway manager and, given their successful partnership during the 1995-99 Clare glory years, speculation has been mounting that he will be bringing Considine with him to Galway, should he get that appointment.

That’s all it is, speculation, says Considine. “The only job in which I’ve had any interest was the manager’s job in Limerick, especially given the fact I was nominated by so many clubs.

“The interview for that went well, but we were unable to agree terms, so that fell through, which was disappointing. Having coached Garryspillane to a county title last year, I’ve become very familiar with Limerick hurling, and I feel the talent is there to do a lot better in the All-Ireland championship than they’ve been doing in recent years. I wouldn’t have minded a shot at getting things right, but it wasn’t to be, and I wish them well in the coming season,” he continued.

Having failed in their efforts to get Considine, Limerick board delegates are likely to endorse tonight the recommendation of the executive that Richie Bennis be appointed manager for 2007. Bennis took over on a temporary basis from Joe McKenna, who sensationally quit as manager following the heavy defeat by Clare in the All-Ireland senior hurling qualifiers.

Limerick subsequently went on to beat Offaly and Dublin, before losing by a single point to Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

The county board subsequently set up a special sub-committee to interview applicants for the position as team manager and a number of interviews were held.

County board chairman Denis Holmes, who sat on the committee, said they were most impressed by Bennis’ presentation.

Bennis was a member of the Limerick team which last won the All-Ireland title in 1973. His brother, Phil, managed Limerick at minor, U21 and senior levels.

Former county team manager Tom Ryan was included in those who were granted interviews.

Meanwhile, two of Limerick’s oldest clubs, South Liberties and Claughaun, will battle it out on Saturday week for the right to win promotion to senior grade next season.

The Liberties, who produced such stars as Eamonn Grimes, Joe McKenna, Pat and Bernie Hartigan, and who enjoy the patronage of multi-millionaire JP McManus, have been waiting for 10 years to get out of the intermediate grade.

They were three times beaten finalists in the interim.

Opponents Claughaun, who won the double in 1986, were relegated in 2001. Interestingly, their goalkeeper is Leo O’Connor who made his debut for the club in that position 20 years ago, and later went on to become one of the county teams top scorers. Now in the twilight of an illustrious career, he reverted to between the posts this season.