*The Clare senior hurling panel. Photograph: Martin Connolly
Members of the Clare senior hurling panel have raised a number of concerns with the Clare County Board at a meeting held earlier this evening (Tuesday).
Panellists requested a meeting with the County Board Chairman, Joe Cooney following Donal Moloney’s announcement on Sunday that he was not seeking appointment to the position of senior hurling manager for 2020.
As Cooney is leading the appointment process, representatives of the county panel sought a meeting with him in the wake of Moloney’s departure. The Clare Echo understands the six man delegation included captain Patrick O’Connor and John Conlon.
A statement sent to The Clare Echo by the panel outlined a number of issues the players raised at the meeting. They paid tribute to the contribution of Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor plus the professionalism they brought to the set-up.
“Players outlined to the County Board Chairman their frustration at not having been consulted during the four month process of securing a management team for 2020. Players’ only source of information on the process was second hand updates disseminated through the mainstream media and social media. The players are disappointed by the length of time it has taken to conclude the ongoing process and the lack of clarity provided to Donal Moloney and his management team on the process, despite having been interviewed for the position four weeks ago”.
Reports in The Clare County Express were criticised by the panel. “A report in the October edition of the Clare County Express falsely reported players were in favour of a change of management. No member of the Clare Senior panel approached any potential candidate for the position other than Donal Moloney (up to his announcement on Sunday that he was withdrawing his name from the process)”.
Facilities at Caherlohan require further investment according to the panel who also have concerns on the future of Club Clare, the hurling supporters club responsible for funding the video analysis conducted.
“We informed the County Board Chairman of the necessity for the County Board to fully support the hurling team in terms of investment in facilities such as Caherlohan, as well as provide our players with the necessary supports to maximise our ability to compete at the highest level. Players raised concerns about the future operation of Club Clare Hurling Supporters, which has raised over €350,000 since it was established by Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney in 2016. We have asked the County Board to support the continuation of the supporters club or failing that, bridge any shortfall in funding and investment that may arise from the discontinuation of the supporters club”.
