Under-fire Banner boss McNamara will learn fate tonight

MIKE McNAMARA’S managerial future is set to be decided at a meeting of Clare County Board in Ennis tonight.

The Banner hurling boss is to address delegates, give his end of season report and then announce his future plans after all but one of the 2009 squad signed a letter expressing their lack of support for him and his management team of Ollie Baker and Alan Cunningham after a disastrous league and championship season.

McNamara, a selector when Clare won All-Ireland SHC titles in 1995 and 1997 will be joined by Baker and Cunningham in the West County Hotel tonight. However it is unlikely that any players will attend.

Clare PRO Syl O’Connor admitted he has no idea of McNamara’s intentions ahead of the meeting.

“Mike will address the meeting tonight and give in his end of year report to officers and delegates.

“We can only speculate what is in the report but I am sure it will address the poor season we had in the league and championship. Mike has never shied away from that. Then I’m sure he will address the issue of the letter of non-support which the players submitted to the board.”

O’Connor said there is no motion before the meeting in the wake of the players’ letter.

He added: “The letter will be read out at the meeting but there is no motion of confidence.”

O’Connor said that there had been minimal contact between the board and the players over the past week.

“There has been very little contact over the last couple of days between any of the parties The vibe on the ground is that the silence is slightly puzzling. Nobody knows where anyone stands.” He admitted: “What will unfold tonight will probably set the pattern for 2010.”