No major changes to Davy’s backroom team

Changes to the Clare senior hurling management team for 2015 are, according to manager, Davy, Fitzgerald “not major”.

Crusheen’s Michael Browne, who led both Tulla (2007) and Crusheen (2010 and 2011) to Clare senior hurling titles, will be joining as a selector, he has confirmed.

In addition, he said, “Mike Deegan will move into the role that Mike Browne previously held, so Mike Deegan will still be involved. While Joe O’Connor, who has been with me for five years in Waterford and Clare, will be stepping back, he will still be involved as well. We are not losing Joe or Mike.”

The new fitness and conditioning coach is Kelvin Harold, who has spent some time with West Brom, before joining Limerick FC and also having some involvement with Munster Rugb.y

Fitzgerald confirmed that Paul Kinnerk will be stepping back this year. He continued, “But we are delighted to announce that he will be with us again in 2016. He has been with us for three years, as well as combining that role with a key role with the U-21s. Paul has spoken to us numerous times about his wish to take some time out to travel and take a break from the serious time commitments his roles involve and we fully understand that. Paul is only taking a break and no one can begrudge him that. He has given Clare hurling everything these past three years and no one deserves it more. We’ll miss him, his professionalism and expertise but the good news is that we’ll have him back next year.”

The Clare manager refused to divulge any details on who Kinnerk’s successor will be.

“There will be someone coming in to help with the coaching but, at this time, only two of us know his identity, me and him,” he said. Asked about reports that a former Cork or Waterford player will be part of the new set-up, he simply smiled, which was also his response when asked about suggestions that Anthony Daly could be joining the set-up.

Names being linked to the coaching role include Cork’s Kieran “Fraggie” Murphy and Ronan Curran, both of whom helped Cork to All-Ireland success in recent times.

In a statement from Paul Kinnerk, the St Caimin’s teacher said, “After five wonderful seasons working with Clare GAA at minor, U-21 and senior level, I wish to take a short break to pursue both personal and educational interests. I would love to return to coaching in Clare in the near future, as I have always possessed my parents’ passion for the county. In addition to the wonderful working relationships and friendships I have developed with various management teams and players over the past few years, I would have a very strong desire to make further contributions to Clare success on the playing field.”

In his statement. Mike Deegan said, “It is very difficult to step back completely from this special group of players and management. This is why I am staying in a background matchday capacity. My reasons for not remaining as a full-time selector are simply down to time pressure.”

Joe O’Connor’s statement said, “This has not been a difficult decision because I am not stepping away full-time. I will still be involved with the Clare senior hurlers in 2015 but in a much reduced and limited role. Since this time last year, we have welcomed our second child and I have also been on this treadmill between Tralee and Waterford, Tralee and Clare for over four years (Joe lives in Tralee). While it is very enjoyable, it is also incredibly time-consuming.”

Fitzgerald said they would be putting together their squad for 2015 over the coming weeks.

“Naturally, there will be some changes in personnel. We’ll certainly be looking at some of the All-Ireland U-21 winning squad not already on the panel, while we have had representatives at every club match in Clare watching the progress of a number of players. Our job now is to get Clare hurling back to Croke on All-Ireland final day over the next three years. We know a little bit about the hard work needed to get there. That’s where our focus is now.”