Kissane steps down as Clare football coach

COUNTY football coach, Paudie Kissane has stepped down from his position, the Clare Champion can reveal.

The Cork man, who won an All-Ireland medal in 2010, was part of Colm Collins’ management team along with Ger Keane and strength and conditioning coach Chris Delooze.

Clare won promotion from division 4 in 2014 and defeated Waterford in the Munster championship quarter-final following a replay. After losing by four points to Kerry in the Munster semi-final, Clare defeated Carlow in their All-Ireland qualifier meeting in Dr Cullen Park. They were beaten by Kildare in round three of the qualifiers in Cusack Park, losing by a single point.

The Clyde Rover club man travelled from West Cork throughout the year and it is believed that the long commute was a factor in his decision to step down. Kissane is also believed to be concentrating on pursuing a career in strength and conditioning.

Clare will now search for a new coach, with former Clare joint manager Donie Buckley a possible candidate. Buckley, a retired Clare County Council engineer, lives in Ennis and was part of James Horan’s Mayo management team beaten by Kerry in last Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final replay in Limerick. Horan stood down as manager after the game.

Buckley also coached the Limerick senior footballers for three years, under Mickey Ned O’Sullivan, while he filled a similar role with Kerry when they reached the 2011 All-Ireland final. The Jack O’Connor managed team lost to Dublin in that final.

Peter O’Connell