Davy Fitzgerald and Colm Collins to stay with Clare sides for 2016

Clare County Board statement gives backing to incumbent managers for another year

Davy Fitzgerald will remain in charge of the Clare senior hurling team for 2016. Colm Collins will remain in charge of the Clare senior footballers. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Davy Fitzgerald will remain in charge of the Clare senior hurling team for 2016. Colm Collins will remain in charge of the Clare senior footballers. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Davy Fitzgerald is to remain on as Clare senior hurling manager for 2016, while Colm Collins will also continue with the county's senior footballers.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Clare County Board chairman Michael McDonagh said: “I am delighted that Colm and Davy are committed to remaining in their respective positions for 2016.

“While everyone associated with Clare GAA is disappointed with the progress of both teams during 2015, we firmly believe that they are better things in store, and both Colm and Davy are the right people to lead their teams forward.”

Clare’s hurlers have won just one championship match since memorable lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2013 and bowed out of this year’s All-Ireland after a Round 2 qualifier defeat to Cork at Semple Stadium last Saturday night.

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Clare’s footballers departed the championship a week beforehand, when they lost to Longford in a Round 2A qualifier.

The statement added: “The Clare County Board welcomes and fully supports the commitments received from both managers and looks forward to their review of their respective 2015 campaigns as well as an outline of their plans for 2016.”