Source: Clare Champion
There will be plenty change on the sidelines in the Clare club hurling scene in 2020, but the current kingpins are not among the clubs who have rung the changes.
Tim Crowe and Davy Fitzgerald will bid to make it back to back titles for the first time since 1993 this year, with Paddy Meehan and Timmy Crowe also continuing as part of the management team.
Their neighbours and last year’s beaten finalists Cratloe are among the clubs who have opted for change, with Conor Earley taking over the reins from Alan Neville. 2014 championship winning manager with Cratloe Joe McGrath and club stalwart Jody O’Connor are among the backroom team.
Kieran O’Neill is the new man in charge at Kilmaley, with the St Joseph’s Doora Barefield clubman bidding to repeat the exploits of 2004 when he was involved as a coach for Kilmaley’s last championship success. He takes over from John Carmody, who was manager when O’Neill was last with the club.
Broadford are the new boys in the senior championship after their intermediate title win last year, and will be managed in 2020 by former Clare selector and LIT manager Jimmy Browne.
There are two high profile Limerick men in charge of Clare clubs for 2020. Former Treaty coach Donach O’Donnell replacing Pat Loughnane as manager of O’Callaghan’s Mills, while former Limerick camogie manager John Tuohy takes over the reins from Bob Enright at Newmarket on Fergus.
Clonlara and Clooney-Quin will also have new management but both clubs have looked inside their own borders for their new bosses. Former Clonlara School principal Eddie Horgan takes the reins in south-east Clare from the outgoing Dave Cuddy, while Dave Barry is replaced in Clooney-Quin by Michael Duggan. Wolfe Tones have adopted a similar approach, as Ray Diviney takes over Denis O’Riordan, with Clarecastle also opting for one of their own as Rogie McMahon succeeds Pat Healy as manager.
There is no change in Crusheen where James Carrig remains in situ while Ballyea will once more be marshalled by 2018 championship winning manager Kevin Sheehan. Inagh-Kilnamona have given Fergal Hegarty the reins for another year, Mattie Shannon remains with Eire Óg, Michael Guilfoyle stays as manager of Feakle while there is no change in Whitegate where Terence Fahy remains in situ.
Clare SHC Club Management
Ballyea: No change with Kevin Sheehan in charge
Broadford: Tom Howard departs and is replaced by Jimmy Browne
Clarecastle: Pat Healy departs and is replaced by Rogie McMahon
Clooney-Quin: Dave Barry departs and is replaced by Michael Duggan.
Clonlara: Dave Cuddy departs and is replaced by Eddie Horgan
Cratloe: Alan Neville departs and is replaced by Conor Earley
Crusheen: No change with James Carrig in charge
Eire Óg: No change with Mattie Shannon in charge
Feakle: No change with Mike Guilfoyle in charge
Inagh-Kilnamona: No change with Fergal Hegarty in charge
Kilmaley: John Carmody departs and is replaced by Kieran O’Neill
Newmarket: Bob Enright departs and is replaced by John Tuohy
O’Callaghan’s Mills: Pat Loughnane departs and is replaced by Donach O’Donnell
Sixmilebridge: No change with Tim Crowe in charge.
Whitegate: No change with Terence Fahy in charge
Wolfe Tones: Denis O’Riordan departs and is replaced by Ray Diviney