*Clare senior football manager, Peter Keane. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE senior football manager Peter Keane is to take time before considering if he will commit to the county for a second season.
Ex Kerry boss Keane was appointed in November and has informed senior officials in Clare GAA that he needs further time to determine if he wishes to continue in the role.
Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating told the July meeting of the County Board that the Cahirsiveen native has the backing of the County Executive but Keane needs to see if he has the appetite for the post.
Keane’s decision to hang tough on committing to the Clare cause coincides with a vote to take place later this month by Munster GAA Chiefs to determine if the provincial championship is based on league status rather than the current structure which seeds the finalists from the previous year.
Speaking at the July meeting of the County Board, Chairman Keating told delegates meetings have been held with senior football manager Keane and U20 boss Maurice Walsh.
“We have had meetings with the senior and under 20 managements but haven’t finalised anything yet. Senior manager Peter Keane hasn’t 100% committed yet. I think he will take on the role again next year and we will be pleased to re-appoint him. It will be subject to ratification here,” Keating stated.
He continued, “Peter has to make sure he has the appetite for the job. He has a two hour plus journey each way to training a few times a week. It’s a tough ask and he wants to make sure his family is okay with it. He needs a week or ten days before everything is lined up. We hope to have everything nailed down regarding football managements over the next ten days and have everything ready for the next meeting in August. We want to get our senior management nailed down and then see who is available for the under 20”, he said.
No meeting has taken place with the Chairman and current minor football manager, Joe Hayes. “I didn’t get to meet Joe Hayes yet, I will be meeting him in the next few weeks and hopefully we will have his re-appointment at the next meeting,” he confirmed.
Keating told the meeting that he would have reports from outgoing team managers at the August sitting which he hinted could be a virtual meeting.
