O’Dwyer may be called to lift Banner fortunes

Legendary Kerry boss Mick O’Dwyer is in contention to make a sensational return to football management with Clare.

O’Dwyer (76), who led the Kingdom to eight All-Ireland senior football titles, is in the field to succeed Micheal McDermott at the Banner helm.

The Waterville native who has had spells with Kildare, Laois and Wicklow is understood to have had talks with county board chiefs in recent weeks, according to Kerry sources.

O’Dwyer has been out of management since the Garden County’s exit from the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2011 but earlier this year revealed a desire to return to the intercounty fold in 2013.

He said: “I’ll be thinking about things when January comes it’s like a drug. People like drugs and drink and cigarettes, the whole lot, but football to me is a real drug and I just can’t get away from it.”

It is believed a number of other candidates have been approached by the board including Ned English who has steered Duhallow to this month’s Cork SFC final.

Clare are no strangers to Kerry managers with John O’Keeffe, Páidí Ó Sé and John Kennedy — All-Ireland winners under O’Dwyer — taking charge over the last 15 years.

Clare were defeated by Cork in the Munster SFC final this season before losing to Kerry in the fourth round of the All-Ireland qualifiers.

But the most pressing problem facing a new manager will be to steer the side out of the basement division of the Allianz League next season.

The issue is likely to be discussed at tonight’s monthly meeting of Clare County Board.