Banner revolt gathers pace

The Clare hurling crisis intensified over the weekend after the majority of players expressed a vote of no confidence in manager Mike McNamara and his backroom team.

Sources in the county last night claimed that the squad met on Sunday night in the wake of the county senior hurling championship final between Cratloe and Clonlara.

The meeting was timed so that many of those attending third level colleges and universities could attend before returning to their studies

Insiders say that all but one of the panel members favoured a change of management after disastrous league and championship campaigns this year.

Clare failed to win a game in the league and lost two championship outings before defeating Wexford in a relegation semi-final.

However McNamara, a selector when Clare won All-Ireland titles in 1995 and 1997, has another year at the helm and last week received the backing of the county board to plan for the 2010 season. The players sent a letter to the board in advance of that meeting at the West County Hotel. However, as it was unsigned it was not read out to delegates.

This move by the players is a huge blow to board chairman Michael O’Neill who expressed a desire to find a resolution with talks between all the parties.

Last night Clare PRO Syl O’Connor insisted that the board knew nothing about any meeting of the squad.

"Nothing official has come to the county board from the players or from any other party yet. I have heard nothing about any meeting of the players over the weekend. The only thing on the Clare county board agenda is when Mike McNamara addresses the board next week with his end of year report."