*Colin Lynch will manage Clarecastle this year. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
ALL TEAMS that will compete in the intermediate hurling championship in Clare in 2024 have their management teams in place.
Two of the sixteen, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus have indicated that they hope to add another selector
Clarecastle, Wolfe Tones, both of whom were relegated from senior last year, Tulla, Bodyke and Whitegate will have new managers in 2024.
All-Ireland winning midfielder with Clare in 1997, Colin Lynch steps up to the manager’s role with Clarecastle, having been coach last season. Eric Flynn who was manager in 2023 stays on as selector. Pat Healy who managed the Magpies at U20 last year has joined the management with Colin Higgins exiting.
Another of Clare’s All-Ireland winning stars of the 90s, Brian Quinn returns as manager with his native Tulla, taking over from Jim McInerney who filled the position for the past few seasons. Barry Corbett who was coach to Clooney/Quin as they reached back to back Clare SHC quarter-finals crosses the border to join Tulla. Fintan Leamy a selector on the All-Ireland and Munster winning Clare minor side of 2023 is also involved in a coaching capacity.
Alan Cunningham who has been part of John Kiely’s management during their four All-Ireland successes makes a return to a new-look Wolfe Tones ticket which is led by Barry Keane.
Clare U20 manager Terence Fahy has stepped down as manager of Whitegate with Niall Hayes succeeding him.
Ger O’Halloran replaces Sean Doyle in charge of his native Bodyke with Patsy Fahey, a former coach of the Gort senior hurlers joining him as coach.
Pat Taaffe will manage his native Tubber with ex Galway midfielder Rory Gantley on board as coach. Tubber will be used to the influence from the Tribesmen with Iarla Tannian of Ardrahan having served as coach and later manager in recent seasons. Taaffe has recruited Clare GAA vice chairman Michael O’Connor from neighbouring Crusheen where he was chairman in recent years, to the management.
Pat Keane remains at the helm in Sixmilebridge having guided them to the final last year but Clarecastle native and ex Broadford boss Tommy Howard has left their management. The Bridge plan to make a further appointment to their selection team.
Neil Ryan will enter his third season in charge of neighbouring Newmarket-on-Fergus. Ex Clare forward David Barrett is to continue as selector along with Donagh Keogh but the last man to guide the Blues to senior championship success, Bob Enright has bowed out of their management.
Michael Sheedy remains in charge of his native Ogonnelloe with Martin Conlan of Sixmilebridge staying as their coach.
Former Clare junior camogie joint manager, Tim McGrath has been appointed as manager of Smith O’Briens replacing Alex Sampson.
Limerick native Denis Barry returns for a third season in charge of Parteen/Meelick. Noel Ryan will coach the side who have taken some big scalps under Barry’s watch.
Last year’s beaten semi-finalists Ruan keep the same management team headed up by former corner back Leon Quirke. The Roughan brothers, Gearoid and Pakie remain involved as does Quirke’s work colleague Martin Minahan from Tipperary.
Inagh/Kilnamona’s second string will once again be managed by Paul McInerney. The Barrys, Flan and Pat continue as his trusted selectors.
Martin Smyth will hope Feakle/Killanena’s U21A success last season will give Killanena a bounce this season as he continues in the hotseat.
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield will be managed by Dermot Daly at intermediate level with Sean McMahon taking charge of Broadford as they make the jump up from Junior A.
Confirmed intermediate management teams are:
Bodyke: Ger O’Halloran (manager), Patsy Fahy (coach), Liam Wiley.
Broadford: Sean McMahon (manager), Seanie Kelleher; Bernard McMahon, Joey O’Keeffe, Danny Chaplin.
Clarecastle: Colin Lynch (manager), Pat Healy, Eric Flynn, Tim Hickey, Trevor Slattery (S&C), Michael O’Donoghue (kit man), James McMahon(kit man).
Inagh/Kilnamona: Paul McInerney (manager), Flan Barry, Pat Barry.
Killanena: Martin Smyth (manager) Jason O’Brien (coach); Alan McNamara, Mike Noone (selectors), Declan Noonan (S&C);, David Noone (goalkeeping coach), Enda Collins (physio).
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Neil Ryan (manager); Donagh Keogh, David Barrett with two more to be added.
Ogonnelloe: Michael Sheedy (manager), Martin Conlon (coach), John McMahon.
Parteen/Meelick: Denis Barry (manager) Noel Ryan (coach) Benny McEvoy, Roddy McDermott.
Ruan: Leon Quirke (manager), Patrick Roughan, Pat Meaney, Mike Daffy, Gearoid Roughan and Martin Minahan.
Sixmilebridge: Pat Keane (manager), Eamonn Healy, and one more to be appointed
Smith O’Briens: Tim McGrath (manager/coach); Anthony Rodgers, Derek Conway (selectors) David Gough, Katie Pearl (S&C), Ronan Costello (nutritionist).
St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield: Dermot Daly (manager), Liam Clohessy (coach), Brian Dilleen, Mike Cullinan, Tony McInerney.
Tubber: Pat Taaffe (manager); Rory Gantley (coach), Ivan Conway, Mike Coen (S&C,), Pascal Lee, Michael O’Connor.
Tulla: Brian Quinn (manager); Barry Corbett (coach), Fintan Leamy (coach), Brian Lynch, Karl Quinn, Jason McCarthy (S&C).
Whitegate: Niall Hayes (manager), Dermot Hayes.
Wolfe Tones: Barry Keane (manager); Bryan Williams (coach), Alan Cunningham (coach), Mike Hickey (coach), Paul O’Shea (selector); Clem Nihill (S&C).
