Evan Talty has been appointed as the new manager of the Clare intermediate ladies football team.
A nine time Clare SFC winner with Kilmurry Ibrickane, Talty succeeds his cousin and clubmate James Murrihy in the role.
Both Talty and Conor Shannon of Lisdoonvarna are the sole members of the 2020 management to continue with the team following the exits of Murrihy, Ger Keane, Enda O’Halloran, Martin McMahon and Diarmuid Whelan.
Former S&C coach with the Wexford senior hurlers, Mike Frawley who also hails from the Kilmurry Ibrickane club has joined the set-up along with manager of the UL freshers football side John O’Grady from Oola who will be the side’s main coach. Mark O’Donnell is a new addition as an assistant coach and selector while Peter O’Dwyer (goalkeeper coach) and Sarah Cunningham (female liaison officer) are also on board.
At Tuesday evening’s meeting of the County Board held via Zoom, Talty was ratified to take on the role. From the outset, he has set the target of All-Ireland intermediate glory this season.
“I am delighted to be appointed and I am really looking forward to it. The talent in Clare ladies football is phenomenal. I have seen this first-hand over the past 18 months. If all the players in the county make themselves available and the whole Clare Ladies football community row in behind us, no stone will be left unturned in creating an environment where this group of players can achieve their ultimate goal of winning an All-Ireland Intermediate title in 2021. I am really looking forward to meeting the girls and getting the season started when restrictions and guidelines allow them to do so in a safe environment,” Evan stated.
Chairperson of the Clare LGFA, Seán Lenihan noted that the elevation of Talty and the retention of Conor Shannon acts as a vital link with the previous management. “We very much wanted to maintain the high level of work that James and his team put in over the past three years and indeed build on it, so we are delighted to have someone of Evan’s calibre and experience and thrilled with the strong backroom team that he has put in place. Crucially, himself and Conor provide a link with the former management setup so they are already familiar with the girls, their abilities and also where improvements may be required. We wish them well in the year ahead, despite the uncertainty of what may happen due to the ongoing pandemic. Hopefully, we will be back training and playing matches before too long and we look forward to a successful year ahead”.
Underage appointments were also made at the County Board meeting. Maria O’Loughlin of St Josephs Doora/Barefield is the new minor manager, Gordon Drummy of Kilrush takes on the post of U16 boss with West Clare Gaels’ David Nagle taking over as U14 manager.
“All have excellent support teams in place to assist them in their endeavours. I want to thank everyone who contributes in any way to the success of Clare Ladies Football and I want to particularly wish the various team managements and development squad managements well in the year ahead. The future of Clare Ladies Football looks bright,” Lenihan added.
