*Davy Fitzgerald. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
Wexford senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald’s potential involvement in a Clare GAA sub-committee focused on underage hurling was one of the items discussed as new sub-committees were put in place.
Controversy erupted in recent weeks following a report by The Clare Echo on plans to introduce sub-committees focused on Caherlohan, finance, hurling and gaelic football within Clare GAA.
As per the report, Simon Moroney is to chair the grouping tasked with bringing further improvements to Caherlohan, he will be joined by Anne Hayes, Gerry Lynch, John Fawl and Gerry Jones. Chris Ryan of Analog Devices is leading the finance sub-committee where he will be assisted by Ennistymon businessman Denis Cullinan and county Treasurer Michael Gallagher.
Michael Curtin continues in charge of the audit sub-committee with the CCC comprised of Jack Chaplin, Pat Fitzgerald, Seamus Hayes, Michael Gallagher, Josie Nevin and Ambrose Heagney. Committees have also been ratified for both Bord na nÓg football and hurling.
Kilmaley’s Niall Romer who is also part of Brian Lohan’s backroom team with the Clare senior hurlers inquired what individuals would be involved in the hurling and football sub-committees that are intended to focus on structures and underage development. Joe Russell and John Kerin are expected to chair the respective groupings with a number of ex players and managers tipped to have an involvement.
Chairman, Jack Chaplin told the February meeting of the Clare County Board that efforts to organise the football and hurling sub-committees were ongoing. “We are working on it, I hope to have a team in place for our next meeting”.
“Can you clarify if the Wexford manager is included,” Romer responded. Chaplin said “a lot of people have been asked and we are waiting for some to get back to me”.
Following Wexford’s exit from the All-Ireland SHC last year, Fitzgerald called on Clare GAA to sanction a member of the Clare backroom team for their actions in O’Moore Park. He said, “The way I was abused today is not right and it should be dealt with. The abuse and the stuff that was thrown at me personally by one individual there today, who was sent there to do it, is not right and it has no place in hurling. I would urge and encourage Clare to look at that and not let him do it to anybody else what he did there today. You can’t condone that behaviour”.
