This article is from page 61 of the 2011-10-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 61 JPG
MONALEEN! To be or not to be? That is the question.
To be manager of the Limerick City club in 2011 as they chase down their fourth county senior football title since 2002?
Or not to be manager of the Limerick City club in 2011 in tandem with being manager of the Clare football team?
This elephant in a room full of county board delegates was broached towards the end of last Tuesday’s September monthly meeting of Clare GAA by Kilrush Shamrocks representative Colm Browne.
“Do you think it is appropriate that the manager of the Clare team should be managing a club team in a neighbouring county,” asked Browne of outgoing manager Michéal McDermott.
“I take your point on board,” responded McDermott, “but number one I was never manager of Monaleen. When I was appointed manager of Clare back in October 2009 and was ratified by the delegates in this room, at that time I was manager of Kilmurry Ibrickane and it wasn’t an issue then.
“As regards as where my commit- ments lie. Kilmurry Ibrickane had an All-Ireland final on March 17 (2010), the first in their history. On that Wednesday we played in an All-Ireland final, the previous weekend we played in a Division 4 match against London in Ruislip.
“When I was manager of Kilmurry Ibrickane it wasn’t an issue. During the year when I was manager of Clare I was asked to help out Monaleen, because they had lost their manager. I said I would because a good friend of mine was involved. I ended up doing a favour for a fella and I don’t have it in my heart to say no. That’s me. I enjoy football six, seven nights a week. Should that be taken away from me?, he asked.
However, Browne responded by saying “it’s different, you were actually the incumbent (with Clare) when you were appointed to Monaleen.”
“My commitment never waned when I was involved in Monaleen,” retorted McDermott. “When I was appointed day one I was with Kilmurry Ibrickane and it never affected my performance with Clare.
“Anthony Cunningham managed Galway under 21 hurlers to an AllIreland final and won. On Sunday he’s manager of Garrycastle in the Westmeath senior football championship. Pat Flanagan is manager of Westmeath football team, he is also manager of Clara who are in the Offaly football final.
“If I had felt my responsibility with Clare and not given 100 per cent I would be the first to put my hands up. My involvement with Monaleen did not detract whatsoever from my commitment to Clare.
“I was never manager and despite being quoted in media circles I am not manager – I’m there helping out, but I never missed a training session with Clare, I never missed a gym session with Clare. I give 100 per cent to Clare. It wasn’t an issue when I was appointed day one.”