Roche backs Micko to lead Banner turnaround
The Kilkee man, who was centre-back in their 1992 Munster SFC success, stresses not all of the top performers on the club scene are currently representing Clare.
However, he sees O’Dwyer, who is expected to be named Micheál McDermott’s successor next week, as capable of turning people’s heads.
“Going back to our own time, we had good footballers coming through and there were the same in the ’90s. But the big difference from those eras and now is that we were so lucky to get those players available and giving 100% commitment.
“The big question, if Micko comes in, is whether that will convince these guys to come on board. If anyone’s going to do it, Micko is but there’s a good few who will have to be persuaded.
“There are good footballers on the team at the moment. However, there are as many again out there but who just don’t have the time, the inclination or couldn’t be bothered.”
Although Kilmurry-Ibrickane are fancied to give Dr Crokes a difficult test in Quilty this Sunday, just one player, Enda Coughlan, featured in Clare’s Munster final defeat to Cork in July and that was as a substitute.
“There are a lot of pressures now with keeping jobs and fellas need to know it’s going to be worth all the effort.
“It can be all very time-consuming and you have to see what’s coming down the line with no guarantee of a Munster final because Cork and Kerry are on opposite sides of the draw.
“Are those guys willing to row behind Micko? Are they willing not to just show their faces but go through the training programmes and drive into the league? I don’t know if they would be willing to but I’m sure Micko’s presence can have a bearing.
“The bottom line is can the players see themselves getting into a Munster final?”
Roche doesn’t feel O’Dwyer’s age, 76, shouldn’t count against him taking over and making progress with Clare.
“It’s going to be difficult but if people are going to use the lame excuse that Micko, if he is the next manager, is not as young as he was then that’s not right.
“His age mightn’t be what some might like it to be but at the same time he brings massive amounts of experience and success.
“From his time in Kerry to Kildare to Wicklow, who wouldn’t be far removed from ourselves, he has brought varying degrees of success.
“He might be in the twilight of his years but I feel a team like Clare could benefit from his experience and enthusiasm.
“He’ll be 100% behind the team and that will rub off on the players. It can inspire them to give that extra amount.”
After Páidí Ó Sé’s ill-fated season in charge of Clare in 2006, there is some scepticism in the county about the prospect of another high profile Kerry man taking over.
Roche doesn’t share that sentiment, though. “Micko and Páidí wouldn’t be from the same patch. They’re two different types of manager. I’m not saying one is better than the other but Micko might be better suited to Clare.
“From what I hear, Micko indulges a lot in the physical work side of things and that’s just what Clare need.
“If they are to get out of Division 4 and do something in the championship they’ll have to be super fit.”
In the likes of midfielder Gary Brennan and forward David Tubridy, there is quality within the current Clare ranks but Roche sees plenty of room for improvement in the defence.
Citing the Munster final to prove his point, he recalled: “Clare came up against a Cork team who had their eyes on bigger things. At that stage of the Munster championship with Kerry beaten, people would have expected a big win for Cork no matter who they were playing.
“But the goals Clare conceded were disappointing. All those scores were preventable.
“The players coming through were given a lot of freedom and nothing seemed to be in place to stop them.
“The players never gave up trying, though. They were only going to score 12 or 13 points so they need a goal or two but didn’t get them.”
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