*Eoin Hayes is one of two former Oscar Traynor winners in the Clare squad. Photograph: John Mangan
HAVING twice managed Clare to the Oscar Traynor national title, Doolin native Donie Garrihy returned to the role of Clare manager last season and on this Thursday evening he will lead the county into their opening game in this season’s competition.
Frank Healy Park in Doora is the venue for the meeting of Clare and Limerick (kick off at 7p.m) and like any meeting of the Shannonside neighbours whether in hurling, gaelic football or soccer a keen rivalry exists.
This is the first of three group games for the Clare league side and Garrihy is eagerly looking forward to the challenge. Round two will be against the Desmond league and must be played on or before November 24 while round three will be against the Kerry league on or before December 15 and for both of those games Clare will have away fixtures.
Doolin native Garrihy is well versed on what is required to be successful. He led Clare to back to back titles in 2015/16 and in 2016/17 before their bid for a third title on the trot was stopped by Kilkenny who scored the winner late in that game. Incidentally both title wins were achieved away from home in Crumlin and in Donegal.
On what influenced his return to the Clare job, Donie said, “When your county asks you to put up your hand you say yes. You try to give the best you can to the players, the best coaching, best facilities. It’s very important to keep a high standard and make sure everything is available to the players and we have tried to do that”.
Garrihy’s backroom team includes Denis Hynes and Shane Keegan as coaches, Aaron Ryan (S&C), John Earls and Cathal O’Sullivan (Physios), Johnny Ryan (goalkeeping coach) and Owen McCarthy as kit manager.
The Clare boss first went into management when he teamed up with John O’Malley and Albert Finnin back in 2009/10, a season when Clare bowed out to Wexford.
This annual competition returned last season after a two year absence due to COVIDrestrictions and Garrihy answered the call and returned to the role of manager.
“Players expect the best coaching, the best facilities and to be looked after properly. If you don’t provide that and other codes do then you are in trouble. By providing proper facilities players will respond. The spirit in the camp is excellent,” he said.
Two members of this season’s squad already hold Oscar Traynor medals having been part of Clare title winning sides. They are Conor Mullen from Avenue United and Eoin Hayes from Newmarket Celtic
“Limerick always present a strong challenge. We have a new group this year. We only had two games last season but we are guaranteed three this year and if we can finish in the top two in the group we will have a further game”
Asked how he expects Clare to do in this competition the manager replied “I strongly believe that if you prepare properly anything is possible and Shelbourne proved that last week”.
The Clare team will be chosen from the following panel: Shane Cusack, Brian O’Connor, Harvey Cullinan, Jack Kelly, Nathan Boaventura, Dean Hegarty, Aaron Rudd , Tadhg Noonan, Cian McDonough, Eoin Hayes (all Newmarket Celtic), Lee Mulready, Liam Buckley, Jack O’Halloran, Scott Kirkland, Filip Mustowy (all Bridge Unitted), Conor Finnucane (Inch Crusaders), Conor Mullen, Sean O’Callaghan, Jack Dunleavy, Cullen McCabe, Jamie Roche, Kaden Deegan Herlihy, Jakub Ruminowicz, (all Avenue United), Simon Kilker, Jashar Aliu, (Tulla United), Davie Keenan, Lucas Silva, Jun Furson, Kirill Antonov (all Lifford), Charlie Morrisson, James Fahy (both Shannon Town)
