*Ger Sparrow O’Loughlin congratulates Brian Lohan. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
FORMER Clare manager and two-time All-Ireland winner, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has taken charge of his native Clarecastle while O’Callaghans Mills have appointed an ex Clare U20 and minor hurling manager as their new boss.
Ten teams will battle it out for the inaugural premier intermediate hurling championship in Clare in 2025. It is shaping up to be one of the most competitive competitions in any grade in the county for some time.
After forty seven years in the top flight, O’Callaghans Mills lost their senior status in 2024 and there is no doubt but that they are determined to make a quick return to the premier grade.
Clarecastle are also keen to get back up to senior level, they and the Mills will be under new managements in 2025 as are Parteen/Meelick.
Two time All-Ireland winner with Clare in the nineties, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin will manage his native Clarecastle and his backroom team will include Martin Sheedy and Donagh Murphy.
Sean Doyle from Bodyke will be the coach at O’Callaghans Mills this year. The former Clare minor manager takes over from Clare’s All-Ireland winning centre forward from 1995 and 1997 P.J. O’Connell who managed the side for the past two years. Limerick man Niall Douigh from the St. Patricks club will be in charge of S and C with Robbie Madden and Billy Murphy as selectors.
Tulla are also chasing a return to senior having being relegated in 2019. Brian Quinn is to continue for a second term at the helm and his backroom is unchanged and includes coach Barry Corbett, Fintan Leamy, Karl Quinn and Brian Lynch. Bryan McInerney (S&C) replaces Jason McCarthy.
Another team with a new manager for 2025 is Parteen Meelick where Noel Ryan takes over as manager/coach. He coached the side last year when Denis Barry was manager. After three years in that role Denis did not seek another term. His management team will include Roddy McDermott, Keith Howard, Ken Barrett (selectors) and Martin Reale (S&C).
Pat Taaffe is to continue as manager with his native Tubber. They suffered a heartbreaking one point loss to Wolfe Tones in the 2024 final. There are changes to his backroom team as Rory Gantley, now with the Clare senior hurlers, and Ivan Conway have stepped away.
Former Clare and Dublin coach Gavin Keary from Loughrea will coach the team this year while Paschal Lee and Mike Coen continue as part of the backroom team.
Leon Quirke is to continue for a third term as Ruan manager and his backroom team is unchanged with Pakie Roughan, Michael Daffy and Martin Moynihan (coaches), Pat Meaney and Gearoid Roughan (selectors) and Jamie Fitzgibbon (S&C).
Sixmilebridge will also be unchanged with Pat Keane continuing as manager with Eamonn Healy and Seamus Cusack as selectors.
Whitegate’s 2024 management will also be continuing for another term and it comprises Niall Hayes as manager; Dermot Hayes, Cathal O’Byrne (coach) and Derrick Morris (S&C).
Jason O’Brien will continue as manager at Killanena and this year he is joined by Enda Collins and Fintan McNamara.
Colin Molloy will manage Bodyke this season having been appointed earlier this week and his management team will be finalised over the coming week.
