Lohan set to become Clare boss as Mulqueen pulls out of race

By Eoghan Cormican and Páraic McMahon

Brian Lohan is set to be the next Clare senior hurling manager following the decision of Louis Mulqueen to withdraw from the contest.

Both men were the only candidates proposed by clubs during a two week window in which the process to succeed Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor in the role recommenced.

On Wednesday night, Mulqueen issued a statement which revealed he was pulling out of the race to become Clare manager.

It was revealed earlier this week that Mulqueen, a member of Davy Fitzgerald’s backroom team when Clare won the All-Ireland in 2013, and former full-back Brian Lohan were the only two names received by the board during the almost two-week period afforded to clubs to send forward nominations. With Mulqueen now out of the picture, it is expected two-time All-Ireland winner Lohan, who guided the University of Limerick to Fitzgibbon Cup glory in 2015, will take the reins.

“It has been an honour to have been nominated for the position of Clare Senior Hurling manager and I am grateful for the overwhelming support and good wishes coming in from all sources.

I now, after careful consideration have decided that I am currently not in a position to allow my name to go forward. I wish the new manager and Clare hurling all the best

His Liam Mellows side will play in the Galway SHC semi-final on Sunday which Mulqueen outlined was his focus for this week. The decision of the former selector to withdraw his name has come as a surprise.

Two time All-Ireland winner Lohan is now on course to become the manager. He will meet with the five person interview committee over the coming days.

On Monday, October 7, both Lohan and Mulqueen were interviewed for the vacant position. There had been no formal nomination process prior to these interviews taking place.

At a special Clare county board meeting two days later, October 9, it was speculated that Mulqueen was to be announced as the new Clare manager. This never came to pass, however. Instead, a proposal from the Scariff club that expressions of interest for the position be sought was unanimously backed. A new five-person selection committee, which did not include county secretary Pat Fitzgerald, was also put in place at this meeting.

Clare exited the Munster SHC on June 16. The county board executive have come in for much flak for failing to fill the post in the intervening four months and the treatment of outgoing joint-manager Donal Moloney who was initially interested in continuing.