*Gerry McGowan. Photograph: James Crombie / INPHO
Sligo’s Gerry McGowan has been confirmed as the new team coach of Colm Collins’ Clare senior footballers.
The Tourlestrane clubman replaces Dublin native Brian Carson who stepped down at the end of last season.
McGowan, a former Sligo inter county player, co-managed his home club with Eamonn O’Hara to a five-in-a-row of Sligo senior football championship titles while he was also a selector with Sligo in 2018 with then manager Cathal Corey.
He now links up with Cratloe clubman Colm Collins, who is into his eighth consecutive season as manager of the Banner football team. Clare will be operating from Division 2 of the national football league, having retained their place in the division for the fourth successive season.
Clare were narrowly beaten by eventual All-Ireland semi-finalists Tipperary (2-11 to 1-11) in the quarter-final of the Munster football championship last year.
Collins confirmed to The Clare Echo that McGowan had joined the management team. As previously reported by The Clare Echo, Declan O’Keeffe, Enda Coughlan, Declan Downes and Rob Mulcahy remain involved.
McGowan held an online discussion with members of the Clare panel earlier this week. He will begin his coaching role in earnest when the current Covid restrictions on intercounty training are eased.
