*Donie Garrihy. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

DONIE GARRIHY is making a return to management and will take charge of the Clare Oscar Traynor team, The Clare Echo has learned.

Clare has won the national title on three occasions and for two of these, the side was managed by Doolin native Donie for their success in 2016 and 2017.

Officials in the Clare District Soccer League had initially struggled to fill the vacancy for the role when the FAI announced the competition would return this season. The competition which dates back to 1963, returns for the first time since the 2019/20 season and sees Junior Leagues affiliated to the FAI submit representative league teams to participate in the competition.

Chairperson of the CDSL, Jason Ryan approached Garrihy on Tuesday last to gauge his interest in the post.

At The Temple Gate Hotel on Thursday night, Donie met with CDSL officials where he was later offered the position, one in which he accepted.

Garrihy has been appointed for a two year term with the option of a third. The Clare Echo understands that he is joined on his management team by former League of Ireland goalkeeper, Barry Ryan, FAI football development officer Denis Hynes, strength and conditioning coach Aaron Ryan, Kilrush stalwart Robert Clancy and physical therapist, John Earls.

Since stepping down as Clare manager, Donie guided St Breckan’s back to the ranks of the Clare SFC after winning the intermediate title in 2019 and contesting the Munster club final that year. The North Clare club reached back to back senior semi-finals in 2020 and 2021 before bowing out at the quarter-finals last season.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, CDSL Chairman Ryan confirmed that Garrihy had been appointed. “It is a welcome appointment, it is good news. We approached Donie and he was keen about it, he has guided the county to two previous titles so we felt it was important, we had some interested in it but we wanted to get a manager who wasn’t involved with any club teams at present”.

Kilrush native Jason is hopeful all players approached within the CDSL will be eager to represent their county. “All we can ask is that everyone answers the call when they get it and we get a good squad together, we’re delighted to have Donie and his team”.

Thus far, 21 teams have entered in the 2023/24 Oscar Traynor competition, from October to January the competition will be run on a provincial basis, six of the 21 teams are from Munster. The All-Ireland quarter-finals are scheduled to take place in February.

Meanwhile, Dean Russell and Patrick Twomey have been appointed as joint managers of the Clare Youths team. The duo worked together in charge of Bunratty Cratloe FC in recent seasons. “We wish both managements well in their respective competitions,” Ryan added.

The FAI Youth Inter-League Cup is also set to return for the 2023/24 following victory for the Cork Youth Leagues in the 2022/23 addition of the competition. The competition will follow the same timeline as the Oscar Traynor Cup with a provincial phase before progressing to the national competition. Details will be shared with applicable leagues with the deadline set as Sunday, September 10th.

Related News

o'briensbridge 10-05-21 7
O'Briensbridge & Bridgetown still under boil water notice
SONY DSC
Gardaí investigating theft from Bank of Ireland branch in Clare
bunratty band stand 2
Blunder on Bunratty Bandstand sees Council pay up to €40k before pausing works
fr iggy mccormack mark nestor 1
Diocese of Killaloe launch year-long initiative encouraging men to join the priesthood
Latest News
ennis rfc management 1
Ennis RFC Seniors & U14s continue winning ways
fr iggy mccormack mark nestor 1
Diocese of Killaloe launch year-long initiative encouraging men to join the priesthood
burrensmokehouse-1473
Burren's Birgitta among leading speakers at Canadian Terroir Symposium
clare v dublin 24-06-23 20 mark rodgers
Rodgers & Hogan shortlisted for Young Hurler of the Year & Clare get 9 All Star nominations
abbey street car park dig-2
War of words erupts with Ennis 2040 DAC & Save Ennis Town at loggerheads
Premium
ballycannon heights meelick 1
'Lights out' in several Clare housing estates prompting Council to voice 'dissatisfaction with ESB'
jack kelly newmarket celtic v fairview rangers 16-04-23 30
Newmarket Celtic began successful defence of FAI Junior Cup & wins for Avenue, Fair Green, Olympic & Shannon Town
remembrance walk ballyvaughan 27-08-23 14
'I will pay for the speed ramps myself' - inaction in North Clare criticised by widow
cliffs of moher shuttle 2
Bid to ban daytrip buses from Cliffs of Moher fails to get backing of North & West Clare councillors
cratloe v kilmurry ibrickane 16-09-23 dermot coughlan david podge sean collins 1
Cratloe in stronger position with sole football focus

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks