Quick end to anticipated stormy Clare Board meeting

THE anticipated stormy meeting of the Clare County Board at the West County Hotel in Ennis last night never materialised, the reported rebellion by the players very much a non-issue, taking up less than 10 minutes of a meeting that went on for well over an hour.

After a number of years in which the glories of the 90’s have been gradually slipping back into folklore, 2009 was particularly disappointing for Clare hurling. The county failed to win a single league match, were relegated to division 2 for the 2010 campaign, and that lack of form continued into the championship, where they again failed to register a win.

First up was a loss to Tipperary in the Munster semi-final, then to Galway in the All-Ireland qualifiers, before finally recovering some semblance of pride with a relegation-battle win over Wexford.

Following on such a dismal season there were bound to be recriminations, and there was indeed much upset.

The recent magnificent run by the U-21 team, which won a first All-Ireland in the grade for Clare, brought some hope back to a county which looked like it was once again being forced back to the margins. But the recriminations continued and culminated in a meeting of the 2009 senior panel a few weeks ago.

At that meeting, which was said to have been attended by 17 players, it was reported there was unanimous agreement by those players they weren’t happy with the current management set-up under Mike McNamara and wanted change.

After further consultation with the other members of the panel — with the notable exception of Conor McNamara, son of the manager – a letter was said to have been drafted by the players and forwarded by registered post to the board. Rumour had it, however, the letter wasn’t signed, so that the major point of discussion among delegates in advance of last night’s meeting was whether or not the letter would be read out, or simply deemed out of order.

In the event, neither happened.

The meeting opened with a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Gearóid O’Sullivan, deceased former chairman of the Lissycasey club, before getting down to business. The minutes of the last meeting were read, then came the correspondence. Letters of application for permission to borrow large sums for development by a number of clubs (battling the recession in Clare).

Then an astute application from the Coolmeen club for a stay of execution in the junior A football relegation battle, citing as precedent Clare’s own successful application against the relegation format on the inter-county hurling scene (there were 15 clubs at Junior A, promotion without relegation would make it a more rounded 16), was carried without dissent, before finally, and in one fluid move, chairman Michael O’Neill brought up, then dismissed the thorny issue of the players’ reported dissent.

“Mike McNamara was appointed last year for a two-year period, and that hasn’t changed,” he began. “We had a note from the players which outlined certain difficulties, and I think that should be given a little time.”

That time, however, wasn’t for this night, nor this meeting: “We need to give the board officers, the management and the players time to discuss this, and prepare for 2010. I don’t believe that out in the public domain is the place to discuss those issues.”

And then, lest there be any misunderstanding — “I expect the support of the meeting on this, I don’t expect any dissenting voice; the management and players are entitled to that — we have tremendous respect for this management and we have tremendous respect for these players.

“Whatever is to be discussed will be discussed. There’s no denying we want to improve our status and resolve these issues, and that’s our aim. It’s important we’re given that opportunity over the next few weeks. Any objections?”

No, there were no objections — a masterclass in how to contain a problem, and on how to control a meeting. Mike McNamara was then invited to speak, and did so, passionately. “Since 1988 when I first got involved (in management), my only ambition and aim was the betterment of Clare hurling — that hasn’t changed.”

Given his record — he was involved in seven of Clare’s 13 All-Ireland titles won at various grades since 1932 – there can be no argument about his success rate in that regard.

“It’s very easy be a good manager or a good parent in good times,” he continued,

“But, right now, we have a media circus, and it’s vital we hold back. Negotiations (with players and county board, presumably) are on-going but at the end it will make Clare hurling stronger, and that’s what’s important. With or without me, that makes no difference, the important thing is to get Clare hurling back on track, and put an end to the cliques.”

According to several delegates, there is one ‘clique’ in particular to which Mike was referring, a few central players who are said to be behind this move — sound familiar? Last night wasn’t the end of the affair, however.

“In two weeks,” Mike concluded, “At the November meeting, I will give an end-of-year review, and it won’t be pretty, but first we must get the media circus out of the way.”

He finished his speech to loud applause. Between himself and chairman Michael O’Neill, they have bought some time, vital time; those next two weeks, however, could be interesting. “The football management will be put in place in two weeks,” Michael O’Neill promised, in closing the discussion that never was:

“The hurling management was appointed last year for two-year period and that won’t change.”