Clare chiefs defend selection process

BANNER GAA chiefs yesterday defended the manner in which Tony Considine was appointed manager of the Clare senior hurlers on Tuesday.

While there was widespread support for the two time All-Ireland SHC winning selector, a number of delegates were concerned about the process implemented by the County Board.

Scariff delegate John Jones expressed his annoyance on Clare FM yesterday.

Said Mr Jones: “On Tuesday of two weeks ago we were promised by the board and the chairman himself (Michael McDonagh) that the clubs would have the final decision on who would be the next county manager.”

“The delegates were going to come to the next meeting, the board were going to put proposals and names to the delegates, the delegates were to go back to their clubs, and the clubs would come back in turn to the County Board, and make a final decision. That did not happen.

“Last night, what happened was a forced vote. Clubs were given assurances and the County Board did not live up to those assurances. In my view it was a rigged vote last night, there was at least ten delegates who came into the meeting after the vote was cast, they did not get a chance to cast their votes, and the appointment would have to have the 100% backing of the clubs. It did not happen.”

Speaking afterwards, however, Clare GAA PRO Des Crowe, while expressing his respect for Mr Jones, rejected Jones’ argument.

“I’m very happy this morning that we have a very good man to lead our team for the next two years,” he said.

“I don’t want to get into debate or argument but I want to clarify the situation factually.”

Mr Crowe then went on to quote directly from the minutes of the previous meeting, in which no mention was made of any proposal being put to delegates to be brought back to the clubs for ratification.

Crowe stated: “I’m quoting exactly from the minutes, ‘Finally summing up, Cathaoirleach McDonagh concluded the discussion by advising delegates that he would speak to all and report back to an officers’ meeting and from there, to a County Board meeting. Last night, Michael McDonagh and his officers did exactly what they were mandated to do at the last meeting’.”

As to the point that many delegates had actually missed the vote, Crowe was dismissive: “This thing about being late is only a red herring. I can tell you, at every County Board meeting, people come in late.”

On the same programme, county chairman McDonagh rejecting any suggestions of wrong-doing, expressed his delight at Considine’s appointment, and urged the county to back him.

Meanwhile, senior Mayo county board officials are expected to meet with team manager Mickey Moran this weekend to clear the air after a week that saw heavy criticism of the team management, and the resignation of Moran’s number two John Morrison.

Despite some speculation that Morrison had not tendered his resignation, board officials were yesterday adamant that the Armagh native had told them he would not be coming back for the 2007 season.

Moran has kept an almost total silence since the heavy All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry last month, and both he and Morrison were unavailable for comment yesterday.

It is not yet known if Moran wishes to continue in the position without Morrison. The third member of the management team — Kieran Gallagher — has declined to comment on the controversy.