This article is from page 60 of the 2008-06-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 60 JPG
PROMOTING from’ within has served Clarecastle well. Two county titles in the last four years, testifies to that.
After landing the championship in 2005 during his two years as man- ager, Ger Ward stepped aside in 2007 for Fergie Tuohy. Then in 2008 the baton returned to Tommy Howard who was a county final winning manager in 2003.
Managers come and managers go, but the transition is always a smooth one. In Clarecastle, you shouldn’t confuse change with upheaval.
Every year there are plenty of strong candidates. But when one is selected to lead, the club coalesces around a common goal — winning the cham- ey Coyetsieul oy
There isn’t time for factions or rivalry. Unity, manager Tommy Howard agrees, has been a source of strength for the club.
“We don’t have major showdowns or votes at the beginning of the year”, says Howard, “At the beginning of the year, I indicated an interest in being involved, and the club seemed to be happy to accept me. When it comes to my time to give it up, someone else will pick up the baton
and go. That’s just the way it seems to happen. It’s healthy for the club as well, in fairness.”
Being able to select from such a deep pool gives a Clarecastle formi- dable edge off the pitch. New man- agers, having played for the club, are already attuned to the fierce expecta- tion to win.
Howard, manager when the mag- pies won their 10th county title in 2003, understands this can be a dou- ble-edged sword.
“I think Clarecastle would be known as being parochial to say the least. There is great pride and great passion in the place. Playing for your club and being involved as a mentor is seen as a great honour. It brings pressure. The expectation is always high from the supporters and that’s part of the enjoyment of it as well. It’s an honour to be involved and to be able to give it time and to have a
go at it. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t and you have to live with the consequences.”
2007 was a year when that didn’t go to plan. After beating Wolfe Tones in the quarter final, Clarecastle were outmaneuvered and, dare you say it, outfought by Tulla in the semi final.
‘To get to the semi final was a great achievement in one respect. Tulla went on and they won the champion- ship, so they proved to be credible champions. They beat everyone they had to beat along the way and they did it with a bit of style.”
Howard 1s concerned that Clarecas- tle have “leaked goals at critical stag- es” in the Clare Cup. More pressing though, are the injuries to key players like Derek Quinn. The club’s leading marksmen will miss the group stages due to a serious ankle injury.
Darragh Moloney, another forward from whom much is expected is una-
vailable, but for different reasons. He is preparing for his Leaving Cert.
“Derek Quinn would be massive loss to any setup. In a county where good forwards are a rare commodity, he’s a massive loss to us, massive’’.
Clarecastle’s opponents in group 3 include old rivals Kilmaley and Eire Og. The game against the townies sees Howard pit his wits against his brother in-law and Eire Og manager, John Russell.
“Whatever way that falls. I’m sure they will be a bit of ribbing, wheth- er I was involved or not’, laughs Howard.
Not that there is much time for fun and games. The serious business be- gins now.