Another sporting year has been and gone, some of the events are worthy of books in their own right, for now let’s look back and savour the memories as The Clare Echo’s Head of News & Sport Páraic McMahon dishes out the 2021 Clare Echo Sporting Awards.
CONCERNS with the understaffing of Clare GAA with regards to full-time coaches have been raised.
Superbly taken goals were the standout aspect of St Breckans’ impressive first outing in the 2021 Clare SFC as they secured an eighth point win over reigning intermediate champions St Josephs Doora/Barefield.
*Clare corner forward, Gavin Cooney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Fresh from the minor ranks, Gavin Cooney was recruited onto the Clare senior panel by Colm Collins to make his debut in 2018, now off the back of their condensed League bid he finds himself as a go-to choice at corner forward in the side.
A wonderful display on Sunday and a personal tally of 1-08 saw David Tubridy become the all-time top scorer in the history of the National Football League.
*David Tubridy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Overcoming Kildare in Newbridge represents “a stepping stone” for Clare football, David Tubridy believed.
*Colm Collins has a word with Ciaran Russell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Consecutive wins have kept Clare’s hopes of qualifying for the top tier of the Allianz National Football League alive.
*Gerry McGowan. Photograph: James Crombie / INPHO Sligo’s Gerry McGowan has been confirmed as the new team coach of Colm Collins’ Clare senior footballers.
Increasing the amount of underage GAA games to maximise player retention has been identified as a key priority of the County’s new Games Development Manager.
Colm Collins is to continue as county senior football team manager for 2021.
