*Sean Doyle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
FORMER CLARE minor and U20 hurling manager, Sean Doyle has received a suspension from Clare GAA.
Doyle who is currently the manager of the Bodyke intermediate hurlers received what is understood to be a twelve week ban following his club’s exit from the Clare intermediate hurling championship at the hands of Sixmilebridge on September 23rd.
An infraction involving Doyle along with referee Andy McMahon and one of his umpires led to the Cratloe match official including details in his report that was submitted to Clare GAA and resulted in them handing out the sanction. Subsequent to this, he stood down as manager of the club’s U21 hurling team.
A proposed ban on Bodyke hurler Cathal Doyle from that quarter-final defeat to The Bridge is understood to be the subject of an upcoming appeal hearing.
In October 2021, Sean stepped down as manager of the Clare U20 hurlers, he held the role for three years. In 2019, Clare exited at the semi-final stage to Cork on a score of 0-24 0-15 and in 2020 they bowed in the quarter-finals to Tipperary 1-19 0-12.
In his final campaign, they defeated Kerry 2-20 0-15 before losing out to Limerick in the semi-finals 1-27 0-17. Rules prohibiting players from featuring on both U20 and senior panels meant they were deprived of having Mark Rodgers as part of their attack for their 2021 campaign while Shane Meehan missed out through injury.
During his time as county minor manager, Doyle guided Clare to the Munster final and All-Ireland quarter-final in 2017 losing out by seventeen and nine points respectively to Cork and Galway having recorded wins over Waterford and Limerick.
A final round defeat to Limerick ended his last season in charge of the minors with the Treaty County firing four of the last five points to claim a 1-21 2-17 win and take a provincial final appearance and see Clare finish bottom of the five Munster counties.
Since departing the inter-county scene, Sean became manager of the Bodyke intermediate hurlers in 2022 and guided them to the knockout stages this season. He has also been involved as coach to Galway side, Ardrahan.
Efforts by The Clare Echo to contact Doyle were unsuccessful.
