No time for sleep as Kinnerk’s dreams come true

PAUL KINNERK is intent on holding a different type of dual status this year.

The Monaleen man takes his first steps of the new season with the Limerick senior footballers next Sunday when he lines out against UCC in the McGrath Cup in Rathkeale.

But he will juggle that with his new role as coach for the Clare senior hurlers.

The 26-year old made waves in the mid-west in recent years as coach to the Clare minor hurlers and St Caimin’s Dr Harty Cup teams. His work has been recognised by new Banner boss Davy Fitzgerald, who has moved to recruit him, while Kinnerk is also a selector with the Clare U21 hurling side.

“I’d never met Davy before but he got onto me last November about getting involved,” revealed Kinnerk.

“He’s very meticulous in his preparations and I was delighted to be offered a role. From a coaching point of view this is exactly where I want to be, dealing with a great group of players who are mad to work hard.”

Kinnerk, a PE and maths teacher in St Caimin’s, will be a forwards coach within the Clare set up and will share the general coaching responsibilities with Fitzgerald. The management team is completed by selectors Louis Mulqueen and Mike Deegan while Joe O’Connor, who has previous experience with the Kerry senior footballers and Waterford senior hurlers, will be the physical trainer.

“It’s very much a collective effort with Clare,” said Kinnerk. “The responsibility for coaching does not just rest with me. I know I’m younger than most coaches but it’s definitely a help having a few years coaching behind me in knowing what works and having worked with some of the younger players with the Clare minors.”

The desire to stay involved with the Limerick footballers after making his senior championship debut last summer and helping his club Monaleen win their second consecutive county senior title last October, has fuelled Kinnerk’s determination to juggle the two roles. But the primary reason for him being able to manage it is the backing he has received from both Fitzgerald and Limerick manager Maurice Horan.

“There’s no way I could even try to attempt this without the co-operation of both Davy and Maurice. Both of them want to see this work. I’m fully committed to both the Limerick footballers and the Clare hurlers. There is definitely going to be one clash with the league fixtures but I’m generally lucky in that a few of Limerick’s football games are on Saturday’s.

“In terms of training then, I’m fortunate that being a teacher, I have a bit more free time. Maurice is allowing me to do gym work in my own time rather — I’d be in contact with Andrew O’Neill, our strength and conditioning coach with Limerick, who gives me programmes.

“On Wednesday I met him during the day in UL and then today I’ll do a gym session on my own. That means tonight I can be at Clare training in Lees Road in Ennis.

“The main clash will be on Tuesdays as both squads have field sessions on those nights so I’ll probably do every second one. But we’re going to take it on a week by week basis really. I was back between meeting Davy and Maurice before Christmas and we came to an arrangement. I’m very lucky that they both understand the situation.”

With a minimum of 13 league games, countless training sessions and a day job to hold down, the spring months promise to be a hectic time for Kinnerk. Which begs the question, will he have any time to unwind himself? “No there won’t be much free time at all,” he laughs. “But I love it. Going training with Limerick is great as you’re challenging yourself and then it’s a different type of challenge working with the Clare players. I’m very grateful to Davy and Maurice for giving me the chance to do both. And I believe that it’s definitely possible to make it work.”