*Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
GRAHAM SHINE is set to be appointed as the new manager of the Clare intermediate ladies football side, The Clare Echo has learned.
Listowel Emmets clubman Shine who previously managed the Kerry and Limerick ladies footballers is to receive a two year with the option of a third as he becomes the successor to Wayne Freeman.
His appointment has yet to be ratified by the Clare LGFA.
One of the county’s top ladies footballers, former goalkeeper Emma O’Driscoll has been recruited as the team’s goalkeeping coach. A member of the Clare panel to win the All-Ireland intermediate title in 2009, she was between the posts when the county contested the 2016 All-Ireland final. She has won thirteen senior championships with Banner Ladies.
Eoin Murray who was coach to the St Joseph’s Miltown side crowned county champions in 2018 will be the team coach. The O’Currys clubman also worked at inter-county level as the coach to the Clare U20 footballers managed by Michael Neylon, both Murray and Neylon worked together during a successful stint with Miltown.
A member of that 2018 St Joseph’s Miltown panel is also part Shine’s proposed management team. Ex Clare footballer Graham Kelly is understood to be on board as a selector. He has coached the Clare minor ladies footballers for the past two seasons and over the last six years has coached the St Joseph’s Miltown ladies footballers, guiding them back to the senior ranks.
Former Chairman of Clare LGFA, David O’Brien is another addition to the management as a selector. The Cooraclare man is currently sitting on the Clare LGFA officer’s board as Fixtures Secretary and has previously managed Clare to win the Minor B All-Ireland ladies football title.
Shine’s full backroom team is to be finalised but physio Claire Gilligan is anticipated to remain in her role.
Graham was in charge of Limerick up until September 2023. During his two year term, the Treaty County reached the All-Ireland Junior final and the Division 4 League Final.
With his native Kerry, he also served for two years. In 2017, his first year in charge, Shine guided Kerry to the Munster senior championship title, while they bowed out at the All-Ireland semi-final stage to eventual winners Dublin. He resigned midway through the second season, shortly after Kerry were relegated to Division 2 of the National League but not before the league campaign had concluded. He was also at the helm of the U16s as they won two provincial and two All-Ireland crowns in 2015 and 2016.
