Tony Considine
Encyclopedia
Tony Considine served as manager
of the Clare
senior hurling
team from November 2006 until August 2007.
Considine was ratified as the Clare hurling manager to succeed Anthony Daly
in November 2006 at a county board meeting in Ennis. He had previously served as a selector on the successful Clare all-Ireland junior winning team of 1993 under Scariff man Mike McNamara
. At senior level he was also part of Ger Loughnane
's backroom team (along with McNamara) that guided Clare hurling to its most enduring and success-laden period between 1995 and 1998. Clare ended a 63-year wait to win the Munster title and 81-year wait to lay claim to the all-Ireland senior championship title in 1995.
The new incumbent had drawn the ire of certain GAA followers in Clare in October 2006 when he outlined his dismay and frustration on local radio in Clare that his close friend Ger Loughnane had accepted the role of the Galway
senior management role urging Clare Gaelic Athletic Association
leaders to stop talented gaa people leaving Clare.
Shortly after this juncture Considine was approached to take over the role of the vacant Clare manager's role which had been previously held by the hugely popular Anthony Daly who subsequently went on in 2007 to become a respected Gaelic games pundit on national television.
The new Clare manager, a native of Cratloe
in south east Clare drew some satisfaction from the club delegates by announcing he would allow the county players to play for their clubs during the summer, something that had been essentially prevented by prior Clare managers over a twelve-year period.
A series of events throughout most of 2007 brought great controversy upon Considine and club delegates in Clare voted 45 to 6 to remove the management from their roles at the August board meeting of Clare gaa.
Considine had spent a number of years as a controversial and very earnest pundit with the Irish Examiner
newspaper where his critical viewpoint did not always draw the appreciation of players.
Upon his ratification as the manager at the meeting in November 2006 of the 'Banner' county he announced his backroom team of Tim Crowe, Ciaran O'Neill, Ger Ward, former Clare hurler and successful club coach Pat O'Connor and fitness coach and former Limerick
trainer Dave Mahedy as his colleagues in the Clare senior hurling management.
A mere six weeks after securing the services of the highly respected Mahedy it emerged that the ex-Limerick gaa and league of Ireland soccer physical trainer had decided to leave the Clare training set-up much to the disbelief of Clare followers.
Tony Considine explained that Mahedy was only able to commit to a six week period and consultancy role despite previous announcements that he would be a full-time member of the backroom team.
In the early season at the Waterford
Crystal tournament it was reported that the Clare management had asked a medical officer and county sponsor Pat O'Donnell to leave the team's dressing room prior to their meeting with Tipperary.
In February respected Clarecastle man Ger Ward stood down from his role as Clare selector after issuing a letter to the county board meeting outling essential differences of opinion with the manager and was widely noted by many in the local media that he did not travel to Clare's opening competitive appearance of the year when running out easy winners over Down in Portaferry in the national league.
It subsequently emerged that Tony Considine failed to meet Ger Ward for a second proposed meeting in Ennis
to discuss their issues.This incensed the Clarecastle club and further damaged the position of the under-fire manager.
It was alleged that Ger Ward had great issues over the reported treatment of certain players most notably Davy Fitzgerald
a three time all-star recipient and two time all-Ireland winner within the Clare camp.
Mere weeks before Clare's championship clash with Cork in a stunning turn of events the Clare manager had to survive an attempted vote of no confidence at a county board meeting. However the vote did not get off the ground for debate as a motion.
It sparked senior members of the Clare panel to defend their manager and to call for people to allow the manager and players to get on with their role in trying to be successful.
The withdrawal from the Clare panel of the celebrated seventeen year veteran goalkeeper reported in January 2007 over an alleged disagreement between the pair, was believed to have revolved around the squad's intense training preparation and techniques.
This news set in motion a position from which from Tony Considine would ultimately not recover and despite Fitzgerald not speaking on the matter publicly, it had and would prove a constant milestone around Considine's neck.
Tulla goalkeeper Philip Brennan became Clare's number one in 2007 and enjoyed a solid year as the Banner custodian in the absence of the three time all-star winner Fitzgerald.
Added to that controversy the withdrawal of the hugely talented forward Tony Carmody from the panel in the middle of the national hurling league was another significant blow to the county team and its supporters.
An explanation as to why Carmody an all-star nominee decided to leave the set-up had in many eyes not been properly explained by the manager or the county board.
Clare's most influential forward Tony Griffen an all-star winner in 2006 decided to undertake a mammoth cycle across both Ireland
and Canada
to raise funds for the cure for Cancer
in the wake of the death of his father from the disease between February and June 2007 meant Clare were shorn the service of another outstanding attacking player.
Prior to the start of the Munster championship clash with Cork at Semple Stadium on May 27, a number of players from both the Clare and Cork teams burst onto the field to engage in a pre match scuffle to the disbelief of the crowd at the venue.
Subjected to huge media scrutiny and vociferous condemnation from the GAA and media commentators both Clare and Cork were issued with one month bans to four players.
The media criticism of the events in the wake of the events at Semple Stadium
was severe and drew more controversy on Clare with the loss of established players.
National Hurling League
. The division 1A campaign saw defeats to Wexford
and Cork with the home win over Waterford the subsequent League and Munster champions the only highlight of a drab campaign.
On May 27, 2007 the Clare side lost by seven points to a more decisive and talented Cork in the Munster championship opening round game at Semple Stadium in Thurles, County Tipperary on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-11.
The pre-match scuffle between these sides resulted in Clare eventually handed one month bans to Colin Lynch
, Alan Markham
, Andrew Quinn
and Barry Nugent
.
The Clare manager subsequently saw his side draw Laois, Antrim
and Galway
in the back-door qualifiers, which affords previously beaten teams in the championship another chance to prove themselves in the hurling championship series.
In Clare hurling's most glorious era when three Munster titles and two all-Ireland titles were secured between 1995 and 1998, Tony Considine served as selector to Ger Loughnane the Clare manager of the time.
Ger Loughnane was announced as Galway manager at the end of 2006 and the draw which pitted Clare his former team, against his new Galway charges drew huge interest and a large crowd to Cusack Park, Ennis on July 7, 2007 in the second of the backdoor qualifiers. Indeed the official declaration of an attendance of 14,000 drew laughter from many sections of the Ennis crowd that seemed much closer to 20,000 as they awaited the return of Ger Loughnane against his native county.
However a poor match ensued with Clare narrowly defeating Galway by 2-10 to 0-14 thanks to a goal in each half, first from Declan O'Rourke
and in the second half from Niall Gilligan
, which proved the difference between the two sides.http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2007/0708/gavinkenny.html
Previously Clare defeated Antrim at Casement park and following an unconvincing final qualifier win over Laois at O'Moore park in Portlaoise, Clare emerged top of group A to qualify for the quarter-final of the all-Ireland.
Clare were drawn to face 2007's surprise packages Limerick, the Munster finalists who had drawn huge praise following their enduring three game series with Tipperary in the Munster championship.
On July 29, 2007,Tony Considine served his final game in charge of Clare as their near neighbours Limerick
proved far too strong to end the Clare team's championship hopes with Andrew O'Shaughnessy proving his credentials in the Limerick attack as one of the game's bright new talents to inspire Richie Bennis's side to an all-Ireland semi-final appearance against Waterford. Limerick defeating Clare.
which Limerick eventually won after a classic encounter to reach the all-Ireland final against current champions Kilkenny.
Limerick's passion, work ethic and team spirit in contrast to Clare who fielded Gerry Quinn at centre half-back despite carrying a very serious knee injury picked up against Galway in the qualifiers.
Clare's initial back room team of six was halved prior to the county board meeting on August 14 when Tubber man Pat O'Connor stepped down from his role.
Considine outlined his disappointment at the manner of his dismissal by likening members of the Clare county board to the 'mafia' clearly displaying his disappointment at the news.
Its widely expected and speculated that Tony Considine will resume his work as a hurling media pundit in the near future although this has not been substantiated by the outgoing Clare manager.
Considine previously guided the Limerick
club Garryspillane to their solitary county senior title in 2005 and could prove a catalyst as a means of a return to the role of a hurling team manager.
The Clare county board have confirmed their intention to fill the vacant Clare role swiftly with Considine's former selector Ger Ward and former Clare hurler and selector Alan Cunningham early favourites for the role.
Davy Fitzgerald has been reported as ruling himself out of contention for the role despite his strong track record of success with Limerick third level facility LIT, native club Sixmilebridge as well as a host of club teams all over Ireland.
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
of the Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
senior hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
team from November 2006 until August 2007.
Considine was ratified as the Clare hurling manager to succeed Anthony Daly
Anthony Daly (hurler)
Anthony Daly is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Dublin senior hurling team....
in November 2006 at a county board meeting in Ennis. He had previously served as a selector on the successful Clare all-Ireland junior winning team of 1993 under Scariff man Mike McNamara
Mike McNamara
Michael "Mike" McNamara is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Scariff from the 1960s until the 1980s...
. At senior level he was also part of Ger Loughnane
Ger Loughnane
Ger Loughnane is a Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling with his local club Feakle and with the Clare senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s...
's backroom team (along with McNamara) that guided Clare hurling to its most enduring and success-laden period between 1995 and 1998. Clare ended a 63-year wait to win the Munster title and 81-year wait to lay claim to the all-Ireland senior championship title in 1995.
The new incumbent had drawn the ire of certain GAA followers in Clare in October 2006 when he outlined his dismay and frustration on local radio in Clare that his close friend Ger Loughnane had accepted the role of the Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
senior management role urging Clare Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
leaders to stop talented gaa people leaving Clare.
Shortly after this juncture Considine was approached to take over the role of the vacant Clare manager's role which had been previously held by the hugely popular Anthony Daly who subsequently went on in 2007 to become a respected Gaelic games pundit on national television.
The new Clare manager, a native of Cratloe
Cratloe
Cratloe is a village in County Clare, Ireland, situated between Limerick City and Shannon in the midwest of Ireland. It is possible that the name derives from Croit-shliabh meaning "hump-backed hill", referring to Woodcock Hill.-Places of interest:...
in south east Clare drew some satisfaction from the club delegates by announcing he would allow the county players to play for their clubs during the summer, something that had been essentially prevented by prior Clare managers over a twelve-year period.
Role with Clare ends
His reign as manager of the 'Banner' county hurlers was shrouded in controversy for most of his tenure and it came as little surprise when he was overwhelmingly dismissed from his role on August 14, 2007 at the meeting of the Clare county board.A series of events throughout most of 2007 brought great controversy upon Considine and club delegates in Clare voted 45 to 6 to remove the management from their roles at the August board meeting of Clare gaa.
Many Controversies
His appointment did not please all grassroots followers in Clare Gaelic games as it was perceived by many that his appointment had been rushed through without due process by the county board officials and the consideration of other candidates.Considine had spent a number of years as a controversial and very earnest pundit with the Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner
The Irish Examiner, formerly The Cork Examiner and then The Examiner, is an Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork, though it is available throughout the country...
newspaper where his critical viewpoint did not always draw the appreciation of players.
Upon his ratification as the manager at the meeting in November 2006 of the 'Banner' county he announced his backroom team of Tim Crowe, Ciaran O'Neill, Ger Ward, former Clare hurler and successful club coach Pat O'Connor and fitness coach and former Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
trainer Dave Mahedy as his colleagues in the Clare senior hurling management.
A mere six weeks after securing the services of the highly respected Mahedy it emerged that the ex-Limerick gaa and league of Ireland soccer physical trainer had decided to leave the Clare training set-up much to the disbelief of Clare followers.
Tony Considine explained that Mahedy was only able to commit to a six week period and consultancy role despite previous announcements that he would be a full-time member of the backroom team.
In the early season at the Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
Crystal tournament it was reported that the Clare management had asked a medical officer and county sponsor Pat O'Donnell to leave the team's dressing room prior to their meeting with Tipperary.
In February respected Clarecastle man Ger Ward stood down from his role as Clare selector after issuing a letter to the county board meeting outling essential differences of opinion with the manager and was widely noted by many in the local media that he did not travel to Clare's opening competitive appearance of the year when running out easy winners over Down in Portaferry in the national league.
It subsequently emerged that Tony Considine failed to meet Ger Ward for a second proposed meeting in Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
to discuss their issues.This incensed the Clarecastle club and further damaged the position of the under-fire manager.
It was alleged that Ger Ward had great issues over the reported treatment of certain players most notably Davy Fitzgerald
Davy FitzGerald
David Fitzgerald is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is a former manager of the Waterford senior hurling team....
a three time all-star recipient and two time all-Ireland winner within the Clare camp.
Mere weeks before Clare's championship clash with Cork in a stunning turn of events the Clare manager had to survive an attempted vote of no confidence at a county board meeting. However the vote did not get off the ground for debate as a motion.
It sparked senior members of the Clare panel to defend their manager and to call for people to allow the manager and players to get on with their role in trying to be successful.
Davy Fitzgerald saga
The undoubtedly shocking decision of veteran goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald to walk away from the Clare panel a mere three weeks into the tenure of Tony Considine, has been in the view of many as the defining and decisive moment in Considine's brief role as Clare manager.The withdrawal from the Clare panel of the celebrated seventeen year veteran goalkeeper reported in January 2007 over an alleged disagreement between the pair, was believed to have revolved around the squad's intense training preparation and techniques.
This news set in motion a position from which from Tony Considine would ultimately not recover and despite Fitzgerald not speaking on the matter publicly, it had and would prove a constant milestone around Considine's neck.
Tulla goalkeeper Philip Brennan became Clare's number one in 2007 and enjoyed a solid year as the Banner custodian in the absence of the three time all-star winner Fitzgerald.
Added to that controversy the withdrawal of the hugely talented forward Tony Carmody from the panel in the middle of the national hurling league was another significant blow to the county team and its supporters.
An explanation as to why Carmody an all-star nominee decided to leave the set-up had in many eyes not been properly explained by the manager or the county board.
Clare's most influential forward Tony Griffen an all-star winner in 2006 decided to undertake a mammoth cycle across both Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to raise funds for the cure for Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in the wake of the death of his father from the disease between February and June 2007 meant Clare were shorn the service of another outstanding attacking player.
Prior to the start of the Munster championship clash with Cork at Semple Stadium on May 27, a number of players from both the Clare and Cork teams burst onto the field to engage in a pre match scuffle to the disbelief of the crowd at the venue.
Subjected to huge media scrutiny and vociferous condemnation from the GAA and media commentators both Clare and Cork were issued with one month bans to four players.
The media criticism of the events in the wake of the events at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
was severe and drew more controversy on Clare with the loss of established players.
On the field performance
The Clare senior hurling team endured a poor 2007 failing to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AllianzAllianz
SE is a global financial services company headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its core business and focus is insurance. As of 2010, it was the world's 12th-largest financial services group and 23rd-largest company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine.Its Allianz Global Investors...
National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
. The division 1A campaign saw defeats to Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
and Cork with the home win over Waterford the subsequent League and Munster champions the only highlight of a drab campaign.
On May 27, 2007 the Clare side lost by seven points to a more decisive and talented Cork in the Munster championship opening round game at Semple Stadium in Thurles, County Tipperary on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-11.
The pre-match scuffle between these sides resulted in Clare eventually handed one month bans to Colin Lynch
Colin Lynch
Colin Lynch is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling and Gaelic football with his local clubs Kilmaley and Lissycasey, and was a member of the Clare senior inter-county hurling team from 1997 until 2008.-Club:...
, Alan Markham
Alan Markham
Alan Markham is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Kilmaley and with the Clare senior inter-county team.-References:...
, Andrew Quinn
Andrew Quinn
Andrew Quinn is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Tulla and has been a member of the Clare senior inter-county team since 2001.-Playing career:...
and Barry Nugent
Barry Nugent
Barry Nugent is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Éire Óg and has been a member of the Clare senior hurling panel since 2003.-Club:Nugent plays his club hurling and football with Ennis based club Éire Óg.-References:...
.
The Clare manager subsequently saw his side draw Laois, Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
and Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
in the back-door qualifiers, which affords previously beaten teams in the championship another chance to prove themselves in the hurling championship series.
In Clare hurling's most glorious era when three Munster titles and two all-Ireland titles were secured between 1995 and 1998, Tony Considine served as selector to Ger Loughnane the Clare manager of the time.
Ger Loughnane was announced as Galway manager at the end of 2006 and the draw which pitted Clare his former team, against his new Galway charges drew huge interest and a large crowd to Cusack Park, Ennis on July 7, 2007 in the second of the backdoor qualifiers. Indeed the official declaration of an attendance of 14,000 drew laughter from many sections of the Ennis crowd that seemed much closer to 20,000 as they awaited the return of Ger Loughnane against his native county.
However a poor match ensued with Clare narrowly defeating Galway by 2-10 to 0-14 thanks to a goal in each half, first from Declan O'Rourke
Declan O'Rourke
Declan O'Rourke is a 33 year old platinum record singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland.-Career:At the age of 13, when living in Australia with his family, O'Rourke was given his first guitar by a priest in Kyabram who recognised his potential and love for music, hence the title of his debut album...
and in the second half from Niall Gilligan
Niall Gilligan
Niall Gilligan is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Sixmilebridge and is a former player with the Clare senior inter-county team.-Club:...
, which proved the difference between the two sides.http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2007/0708/gavinkenny.html
Previously Clare defeated Antrim at Casement park and following an unconvincing final qualifier win over Laois at O'Moore park in Portlaoise, Clare emerged top of group A to qualify for the quarter-final of the all-Ireland.
Clare were drawn to face 2007's surprise packages Limerick, the Munster finalists who had drawn huge praise following their enduring three game series with Tipperary in the Munster championship.
On July 29, 2007,Tony Considine served his final game in charge of Clare as their near neighbours Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
proved far too strong to end the Clare team's championship hopes with Andrew O'Shaughnessy proving his credentials in the Limerick attack as one of the game's bright new talents to inspire Richie Bennis's side to an all-Ireland semi-final appearance against Waterford. Limerick defeating Clare.
which Limerick eventually won after a classic encounter to reach the all-Ireland final against current champions Kilkenny.
Limerick's passion, work ethic and team spirit in contrast to Clare who fielded Gerry Quinn at centre half-back despite carrying a very serious knee injury picked up against Galway in the qualifiers.
Post sacking
Tony Considine outlined to a number of media outlets that he was not officially told of his removal from the job in the wake of his and his backroom team's dismissal.Clare's initial back room team of six was halved prior to the county board meeting on August 14 when Tubber man Pat O'Connor stepped down from his role.
Considine outlined his disappointment at the manner of his dismissal by likening members of the Clare county board to the 'mafia' clearly displaying his disappointment at the news.
Its widely expected and speculated that Tony Considine will resume his work as a hurling media pundit in the near future although this has not been substantiated by the outgoing Clare manager.
Considine previously guided the Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
club Garryspillane to their solitary county senior title in 2005 and could prove a catalyst as a means of a return to the role of a hurling team manager.
The Clare county board have confirmed their intention to fill the vacant Clare role swiftly with Considine's former selector Ger Ward and former Clare hurler and selector Alan Cunningham early favourites for the role.
Davy Fitzgerald has been reported as ruling himself out of contention for the role despite his strong track record of success with Limerick third level facility LIT, native club Sixmilebridge as well as a host of club teams all over Ireland.