*Francis O’Halloran. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
RUAN’S FRANCIS O’HALLORAN has resigned as manager of the Roscommon senior hurlers with immediate effect.
Appointed manager of the Rossies in October 2021, O’Halloran has made the decision following their surprise weekend defeat to Louth in Division 3A of the Allianz National Hurling League. Roscommon drew with Mayo in the opening round of the league. The 2-16 0-15 loss to Louth has been reported by The Roscommon Herald as “one of the worst defeats in the county’s history”.
Coach Tommy Guilfoyle of Feakle and Newmarket-on-Fergus’ Stephen Cusack who had been S&C coach have also departed their roles along with eight-time All-Ireland winner Richie Power from Kilkenny who had been a new addition for this year.
On Monday morning, Roscommon County Board confirmed they had received a statement from the management informing them of their decision to step down. O’Halloran had the option of remaining on for an additional third year.
Commitment had been lacking in recent months from players, the management stated. “Upon our appointment in late 2021, we committed to improving and developing the standard of hurling in Roscommon. We feel that significant progress was made in 2022 culminating with an appearance in the Nicky Rackard final in Croke Park. However, the commitment and efforts shown by the management team have not been matched in recent times by the playing members of the panel despite our best efforts. Therefore, we have taken the decision to step away from the Roscommon Senior Hurling team with immediate effect.
“We want to thank the Hurling Board for affording us the opportunity to manage & coach the team. We would also like to thank the Hurling Board Chairman Christy McDermott for his support and dedication behind the scenes. We as a management team would like to wish everybody associated with Roscommon Hurling the very best for the season ahead & the future,” the statement added.
After reaching the Nicky Rackard final last year, hopes were high that Roscommon could continue to progress, however the decision of twelve to thirteen of the 2022 panel not to stay involved was an early blow. He previously stated of their impact as a management, “we probably brought a new dimension to Roscommon hurling last year when we took it over”.
In an interview as recent as last week, O’Halloran stressed the importance of honesty in a sporting environment. “Talent will bring you so far, but if you have the honesty and attitude right we will bring these players up to another level that they can go back to their clubs”.
“Every day I go on to the field whether it would be here in Ruan or above in Athlone or Hyde Park or in UL – you are learning. I’m a tutor for the last 10 or 12 years doing courses like the Award Two, you are learning off all of the coaches that come through the doors. I’m learning every day. Like everything else every day you go out there you’d be hoping that you’d pick up some nugget or small bit you’d bring back to get something out of. Whether it be hurling, football, basketball, rugby – that is the way I would be looking at it, every day is a school day, you are learning all of the time.”
Prior to the Roscommon role, Francie was in charge of the Bodyke intermediate hurlers (2021), serving as the goalkeeper coach of the Clare camogie side that year. He was formerly in the backroom team during Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor’s time in charge of the Clare senior hurlers while he was also involved with Moloney at U21 level. He also has experience of colleges hurling having worked alongside Eamon Cregan at Mary Immaculate College.
