*Donach O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
O’CALLAGHANS MILLS have parted ways with senior hurling manager Donach O’Donnell with Conor Dolan and Davy Fitzgerald now involved with the Fireballs.
Ex Limerick and Laois senior hurling coach Donach O’Donnell has confirmed to The Clare Echo that he is no longer the manager of the East Clare side. Now based in Nenagh, Donach was in charge of the Mills when they contested the 2020 decider, their first appearance in the senior county final since 1993.
They were involved in the relegation battle last year and managed to avoid the drop before loopholes were found to ensure no teams were relegated.
Clare joint senior camogie manager, Conor Dolan is now interim manager with ex Clare, Waterford and Wexford senior hurling boss Davy Fitzgerald involved in a coaching capacity for the next fortnight. The duo had to be separated in a sideline incident earlier this year during the meeting of Clare and Cork in the National Camogie League.
Fitzgerald has told The Clare Echo he will be on board with the Mills for a very limited period due to filming commitments for Ireland’s Fittest Family. “I have a very soft spot for the Mills, my uncle is President of the club and he was the one who brought me to matches when I was younger, this is something I’ve never forgot. I’m only going to end up doing two to three sessions because I’m filming with Ireland’s Fittest Family for the next four weeks”.
Davy’s son Colm who was part of the Clare camogie management with Dolan is poised to take on a coaching role with the new set-up.
Secretary of O’Callaghans Mills, Patrick Hogan confirmed to The Clare Echo that Meelick native Dolan who is now based in Sixmilebridge has been appointed on an interim basis. “We regret that we had to part ways with Donach, we are very grateful for all the work and progress achieved under his tenure, as an Executive, we made the decision to go in a different direction at a critical point in the championship. It is regretful but we feel it is something we have to do to stay in the championship,” he stated.
In his first interview since he was informed on Sunday night by club secretary Patrick Hogan that his “services were no longer required,” O’Donnell insisted, “it didn’t happen overnight, this was planned” in reference to to reports of internal conflict and planned attempts to remove him from the role.
He explained, “two weeks ago we had a disciplinary issue, one of our panellists organised a party for Saturday night when we had a challenge match arranged for Sunday morning, we ended up having to cancel the challenge match. Then one of the players involved in the party went on holidays the week of our match. We tried to address the issue and this is what happens”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Donach admitted that he was disappointed for his three year tenure to end so abruptly. “The fact we got to the final and showed real potential and a real fighting spirit, we got caught last year losing a few games by a point. I took job again this year on the basis that the players wanted me, we had decent run and got promoted in the league”. He added, “I wish the players the best, I’ve been lucky to work with some really good guys”.
The O’Callaghans Mills Executive have asked all members of O’Donnell’s management to remain on in their current roles. The management was comprised of selectors Ollie Nash, Marty Baker, Seán McNamara and Tom Crehan, performance coach Aaron O’Connell, S&C coach Kelvin Harold and physio Mike Weaving.
Hogan was hopeful the outgoing selectors would remain in situ, “We hope they will stay on, they’ve given good service, we’ve no issue with them”.
According to the secretary, no internal politics influenced the decision.
Promotion to Division 1A of the Clare Cup was achieved earlier this year. However, the Mills were comprehensively defeated by Ballyea in the opening round of the Clare SHC, losing on a margin of 2-20 1-14.
