*Cyril Lyons. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
TWO KEY MEMBERS of Brian O’Connell’s Clare minor hurling management have departed their roles.
Ruan’s Cyril Lyons, an All-Ireland winner with Clare in 1995 and manager of the county senior side which contested the All-Ireland final in 2002, coming up short against an exceptional Kilkenny side, will not continue in his role of selector in 2023.
Lyons’ presence in the management was seen as a big addition when O’Connell was announced as minor manager. The retired primary school principal remains actively involved in the Ruan club and also assisting secondary schools in North Clare.
Keith Hogan of Clooney/Quin is also departing the set-up. The former Clare U21 netminder was the side’s goalkeeper coach and he will not be involved next year. Over the weekend, Hogan was part of the Clooney/Quin management that guided the club to win the U17A hurling championship, major inroads with the Mid Clare club is leaving supporters confident of a breakthrough at senior level with Keith lining out in goals for Tommy Corbett’s senior side this year.
All other outgoing members of O’Connell’s management are to remain in their roles, The Clare Echo understands. The Shannon native who formerly captained his county was also joined by three-time All-Ireland and Munster U21 winning boss Donal Moloney, coach Damien O’Halloran of Inagh/Kilnamona, Clooney/Quin’s Fintan Leamy, Liam O’Reilly of the Banner GAA club plus S&C coach Hugh O’Neill.
In the season just gone, the Clare minor hurlers reached the All-Ireland semi-final where they lost out to an impressive Offaly side on a score of 2-16 0-18. BOC’s outfit had also contested the provincial decider where a penalty shootout crowned Tipperary Munster champions.
