Clare set to ratify Micko as manager

Clare GAA chiefs will meet tonight to ratify Mick O’Dwyer as manager of the county senior footballers.

The November meeting of the board, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has been brought forward to discuss the issue in Ennis.

Clare PRO Syl O’Connor last night confirmed: “One of the items on the agenda will be the proposed ratification of Mick O’Dwyer as Clare senior football manager.

A committee was formed to look into a new management team following the departure of Micheal McDermott. Their proposals will be put to delegates at the meeting.

It is expected trainer and conditioning coach Michael Cahill will be retained and Michael Neylon (Milltown) and former county star Ger Keane (St Senan’s, Kilkee) will be appointed as selectors.

O’Connor continued: “It has to be looked upon as a great boost for Clare football that a man of the stature of Mick O’Dwyer is set to come on board. It is a great lift to everyone involved with GAA in the county. The experience that he brings with him will not be surpassed by anyone else.”

The Clare post will be O’Dwyer’s sixth stint as an intercounty manager. He guided Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles when he took charge from 1975-86. O’Dwyer then managed Kildare from 1991-94, before a second spell with the Lilywhites saw them reach an All-Ireland final in 1998. He took charge of Laois from 2003-2006 and Wicklow from 2006-2011.