McDermott gets backing from Clare board

Michael McDermott has been ratified as manager of the Clare senior footballers for another year, with Liam McHale set to continue as one of his selectors.

The Banner men failed to secure promotion in the National League and fell to Waterford and Offaly in Championship action, but the Clare County Board feel that McDermott is taking the side in the right direction.

Mayo legend McHale, an All-Star midfielder in 1996, was thought to be in the running to succeed John O'Mahony as manager of his native county.

However, McDermott is confident that both McHale and fellow selector James Horan will stay on with Clare.

"Liam is very committed to the cause and enjoyed it last year," he told the Irish Independent.

"The reaction of the players was that they enjoyed the work he did, and the three of us on the management team got on very well together and now hope to build on last year."