Clare coy on link to O’Dwyer

At a Clare County Board meeting in Ennis last night, chairman Michael O’Neill refused to be drawn on speculation that Mick O’Dwyer could become the next Clare senior football manager.

He told delegates a decision would be made at next month’s meeting and a special committee are talking to a number of candidates and expects an announcement within the next two weeks.

However, Munster championship winner in 1992 and former Clare selector, Frankie Griffin, believes that O’Dwyer’s age is against him: “Personally, I think he’s a bit old. Possibly a younger guy should come in now,” he said.

“Give him (the new boss) maybe three or four years of a term. Anyway, I’d say it would be tough on Micko coming all the way from Kerry at his age. I’m not saying that he wouldn’t be successful but my own view is that a younger fellow would be more suitable,” said the ex-Kilrush Shamrocks defender.

With four All-Ireland titles as a player and eight as Kerry manager, O’Dwyer certainly has experience.

The 76-year-old Waterville man also enjoyed Leinster championship success as team boss at both Laois and Kildare.

Does Griffin not believe that the Kerry legend could be an inspiration to Clare? “I know O’Dwyer was in charge at Laois, Wicklow and Kildare but they are football counties first and foremost whereas in Clare, hurling dominates.

“It wouldn’t be as easy for him here as going up to Kildare,” he stated.

“You see we had Páidí Ó Sé here for a time and he had All-Irelands won with Kerry too and I don’t think that worked out too well,” said Griffin, in reference to Ó Sé’s short term as Banner boss in 2006.