*Robbie Hogan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
ROBBIE HOGAN has returned as manager of the Ballyea senior hurlers for the third time while former Clare manager Donal Moloney has taken charge of his native Scariff.
Hogan a championship winning manager of Ballyea on three occasions who was also in charge when they won the Munster SHC in 2016, has returned to take charge of the four-time champions who didn’t emerge from their group last season.
Raymond O’Connnor, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Jude Quinlivan are returning as selectors to Hogan with Shane McNamara on board as their S&C coach.
Former Clare goalkeeper and current Whitegate netminder, Andrew Fahey is Ballyea’s new coach. He was in charge of the Scariff Community College side which reached the Munster Senior B final.
One of the last teams to appoint a senior manager were 2023 intermediate champions Corofin. Former Galway captain Liam Donoghue has taken charge of the North Clare side succeeding Joe Cahill. The Clarinbridge man who lined out between the posts for the Tribesmen in the 2005 All-Ireland final is working to add to his management team which will include Pat Curtis as a selector.
Donoghue was joint manager of the Galway senior camogie side who reached the 2008 All-Ireland final. A year previously, he was dropped from the county hurling panel by then manager Ger Loughnane. He managed his own club in 2015 and was previously involved with the Mayo senior hurlers.
Damien Kennedy has been appointed as the new manager of the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield senior hurlers succeeding ex Clare defender Oisin O’Brien. A winner of a Clare SHC medal in 2001, he will be joined on the management team by Sean Flynn, Sean Duggan and Tubber native Tommy Lee. The Parish have consolidated their senior status for the past two seasons in the top tier after winning the intermediate title in 2022. Ex Tipperary minor selector, Damien Ryan of Portroe will coach The Parish with Evan Hennessy retained as S&C.
Three-time All-Ireland winning U21 and minor joint manager Donal Moloney is stepping up to take on the post of manager with his native Scariff where he succeeds the long-serving Mark McKenna.
Moloney was part of McKenna’s management for the past two seasons along with Mike Longe and Ger Rodgers who will continue in their roles. They will be joined this year by Conor McNamara and Ross Horan, both former senior players who were involved with Scariff/Ogonnelloe’s U21A success in 2022 and 2024.
Gerry O’Connor who was joint manager alongside Moloney for their success at minor and U21 plus three seasons in the senior hot seat is to continue in charge of Éire Óg. O’Connor’s management will once again include Ronan Keane and John Russell with Liam Cronin who has since joined the Limerick senior hurling management expected to remain involved with the Townies once the inter-county season concludes. Owen Tarrant who is no longer involved with the Clare senior footballers is the side’s S&C coach.
After leading Feakle to a first Clare SHC title since 1988, Ger Conway will remain in situ as manager of the county champions. Galway man Ciaran Callanan has left his role as coach of the side, he had been involved for the past two seasons. Dermot Gleeson, John Punch and Steven Moloney continue as part of Conway’s set-up.
2023 champions Clonlara continue with Donal Madden at the helm. Former Limerick midfielder Paul Browne has been added to their ticket for 2025, he is now residing in the parish. Clare minor manager Ger O’Connell continues in the backroom team alongside Mike Stritch, Niall Hogan, Evan Condon and Johnnie McGuinness.
Beaten finalists last season Sixmilebridge have retained the joint management of Stiofan Fitzpatrick and Tommy Liddy. Their management also includes Barry Coffey, a former selector to the Clare U21s and coach when Ballyea won the Clare SHC in 2018 and Sixmilebridge stalwart Adrian Chaplin.
Sixmilebridge man Brian Culbert returns for a third season with Kilmaley. 2004 Clare SHC winner Conor McMahon has stepped away from his role on the management with his former teammate Conor Neylon joining the set-up. S&C coach Martin Bennett is no longer involved with the side. Padraig McGough, Eoin O’Malley, Liam Buckley and former goalkeeper Kieran Dillon complete the management team.
Clare U20 selector Tomás Kelly returns for a second season in charge of Inagh/Kilnamona where he will be joined by All-Ireland winning minor coach Damien O’Halloran, former Inamona defender Milo Keane, Hugh Paddy O’Byrne and Conor Shannon (S&C).
Crusheen’s management of Michael Browne, Paddy Vaughan, Gearoid O’Donnell, Cronan Dillon, Alan Tuohy and S&C coach Alan Griffin remain in place. Their coach for the past two seasons, 2018 All-Ireland winner Aidan Harte has departed for Micheál Donoghue’s Galway management.
Clare Cup champions, Newmarket-on-Fergus have the same ticket in place. James Carrig will be at the helm for a second year, having been a selector for the previous three. His management team includes Alan Duggan, Cathal Fleming and Seamus Meehan.
County semi-finalists Cratloe also stick with their outgoing management. Two-time Clare SHC winner, John O’Gorman stays on as manager with his selection committee including former Clare selector Mike Deegan, ex Cratloe full-back Barry Duggan, Tim Danaher and Dermot Quaine.
After leading Wolfe Tones back to the senior ranks, Barry Keane is hoping to guide their smooth transition to the top tier. Alan Cunningham will double up his Tones involvement with his role in the Limerick senior hurling management. Bryan Williams and Mike Hickey have exited the management of the Shannon side. Barry Loughnane who captained the club to win the Clare SHC in 2006 joins the management team as does former teammate Daithí O’Connell. Paul O’Shea and Clem Nihill continue as selector and strength and conditioning coach respectively.
Despite speculation linking him to a coaching role with Westmeath which he ruled out in October, Fergal Lynch has committed to the Clooney/Quin cause. The 2013 All-Ireland winner will be joined in his management by Derek Quinn, Francis Browne and Victor O’Riordan (S&C). Ex Galway minor manager Brian Hanley will not be involved with Clooney/Quin this season.
Broadford will be under the stewardship of 2022 Clare SHC winning Sixmilebridge manager Paddy Meehan. His management team includes former Clare minor coach Ger Hickey and ex Bridge hurler Martin Conlan. PJ Moroney and Ian Doyle are also involved with the East Clare outfit who finished third in their group last year.
