*John Carmody. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
JOHN CARMODY has stepped down as manager of the Clare senior camogie team.
Kilmaley’s Carmody has announced his decision to depart the role of manager after four years. He served as joint manager with Conor Dolan in 2022 before completing the last three seasons as manager.
While Clare have successfully battled relegation during his tenure, they also reached two Munster senior camogie finals where they lost to Cork (2022) and Tipperary (2023).
They contested this year’s All-Ireland senior quarter-final where they lost to Waterford 2-20 2-10.
Carmody also led the management team for the Clare Juniors in 2022 and 2023. They won the Munster Junior Championship in 2022 and followed this up by winning the All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship and National League Division 3B in 2023.
This was his second stint in charge of the county seniors having held the post for two years in 2012 and 2013 off the back of managing county underage teams including the Clare minors who lost the 2010 All-Ireland final to Galway 2-12 2-8.
John was manager of the Kilmaley senior hurlers who claimed the Canon Hamilton in 2004 and also returned for a second spell guiding the club to win the Clare Cup title in 2022. He was also over the Crusheen senior hurlers for three seasons. Carmody also served as manager of the Clare U21 hurlers, failing to win a championship game during his tenure.
In a statement to The Clare Echo, he said, “Having completed my term as Clare Senior Camogie Manager, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time involved over the past four years. Firstly, I would like to thank Conor Dolan who asked me to get back involved as joint Manager in 2022 over both the Senior and Junior Teams. We enjoyed success in bringing the Munster Junior Championship to Clare. Our Seniors played in the epic Munster Final with Cork when narrowly defeated after 2 periods of extra time.
Conor stepped away and I took on the Managers Role from 2023. We won the National League Div 3B and the All-Ireland Premier Junior Final in Croke Park which was tremendous for all involved. Our Seniors again reached the Munster Final losing to Tipperary.
“The last two seasons have been about rebuilding our Senior panel having lost a number of players through retirement, travel and study commitments etc. This process has been extremely enjoyable as we have introduced a number of our All Ireland winning players and other young players to Senior Camogie blending them with a core group of Senior players who set high standards. That work has seen us reach the last six in 2025 and being the first Clare Senior Camogie team to Play in Croke Park at Senior level. Our performance in Croke park and our performance v Cork in Pairc Uí Chaoimh this year shows that this panel of 35 players have a great future ahead”.
He added, “I want to sincerely that my Management and back-room teams for their work over the last four years. They were excellent in all that they did and their dedication to the cause was second to none. I want to thank all of the County Board Officers during this period for their support. That support was always forthcoming in anything we requested to support the girls’ efforts on the field of play. Also thanks the Clare GAA Board for their support to us which was greatly appreciated. Finally, I wish to thank the players for their commitment to Clare Camogie. Their attitude, ability and dedication were inspiring and made it a privilege to manage the group. I wish them the very best for the future”.
A spokesperson for Clare Camogie told The Clare Echo, “On behalf of Clare Camogie Board, we wish to thank John for his enormous contribution to Clare Camogie over the last number of years. John along with his management team have always made sure that the players who represented the county were prepared to the very highest level.
Clare, under John, competed competitively to the quarter final of this years All Ireland Senior Championship and were strong and progressive in both the 2024 Intermediate and Senior Championships, as well as reaching the 2025 National Division 1B Camogie League Final. John leaves the position having brought success to the county, guiding a great group of players to both Munster and All Ireland Premier Junior success in 2023. We wish him well in his retirement and we thank him once again for all he has done for Clare Camogie”.
