DONAL ÓG CUSACK will leave his role as RTÉ panellist to become part of the Clare hurling management team for 2016.
The three-time All-Ireland winner has been brought in by Davy Fitzgerald to help reverse the Banner County’s fortunes next season. He’s been appointed as coach and selector.
He will, however, see out his term as chairman of the Gaelic Players Association.
Aonghus O’Brien (coach) and Jimmy Payne (strength and conditioning) have also been added to the management team.
“I am delighted to welcome Donal Óg, Aonghus and Jimmy to the setup,” Fitzgerald said. “Their collective experience and expertise will further strengthen the already high quality backroom team in place.
“Over the next few weeks, there may be one or two additions announced to the backroom team and the panel. It is my intention to finalise the Provisional panel at the end of January ahead of the commencement of the Allianz National Hurling League.”
Cusack has been part of The Sunday Game panel for a number of seasons but has been granted an early release from his contract with the state broadcaster.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and want to thank Davy Fitzgerald for the opportunity,” the former Cork goalkeeper said.
“Ahead of assuming my coaching position in Clare, I have met with RTE and following mutual agreement I have been released from my contract. I would like to sincerely thank RTE for the experience they have given me.
“I will be seeing out my term as Chairperson of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) which will come to an end this year.
“I have also spoken with my local club, Cloyne to confirm my decision to retire from club hurling. I would like to thank the club for the support it has shown me throughout my career,” added Donal Óg.
As well as revealing the make-up of his coaching staff, Fitzgerald also announced his provisional playing panel for 2016 – which includes Podge Collins as he works his way back from injury.
Clare senior hurling provisional panel for 2016: Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona), Donal Tuohy (Crusheen), Andrew Fahy (Whitegate), Paul Flanagan (Ballyea), Cian Dillon (Crusheen), Seadhna Morey (Sixmilebridge), Jack Browne (Ballyea), Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), David McInerney (Tulla), Pat O’Connor (Tubber), Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Conor Cleary (Kilmaley/Miltown), Ben O’Gorman (Wolfe Tones na Sionna), Gearoid O’Connell (Ballyea), Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan’s Mills), Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara), Eoin O’Brien (Newmarket-On-Fergus), Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge), Colin Ryan (Newmarket-On-Fergus), John Conlon (Clonlara), Peter Duggan (Clooney Quin), David Reidy (Éire Óg), Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg), Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle), Darach Honan (Clonlara), Conor O’Donnell (Crusheen), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona), Aron Shanagher(Wolfe Tones na Sionna), Podge Collins (Cratloe), Conor McGrath (Cratloe), Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones na Sionna).
This was an epic entertaining game tbh, you’d feel sorry for any team that loses but to come out the wrong side of a cracking game is wicked tough, 2 cracking teams did themselves and club proud.
@Now or Never: Watched most of it on You Tube. Tullaroan were a bit better although Father O Neills never gave up. The 2nd half was unreal. Some high scoring and some top drawer scores. Maybe the 2 boys suspended was the difference, but saying that Tullaroan are worthy champions. Delighted for Tommy Walsh. Club is king.
@Decko49: ah I was hoping for a draw after 62nd min, but what a way to win and lose aswel. You’ll do well to see a better game all year tbh. Tullaroan worthy winners and Walsh is just a joy to watch. Some game!!
@Now or Never: hi let me tell you, a DRAW would have been a fair Result !!!!
@Tom Harrington: as is a one point win for Tullaroan, game was there to be won for either side. But another day out would have been great,just to see them go at it again.
Mandatory Viewing for any Squad …
Phenomenal ! like a Rocky movie
Had it all folks -certainly feel for the loser
Refree contributed greatly by letting Game flow
Have to say & this is a Big Statement
That Was thee most Entertaining
Hurling Match I’ve seen in years…
& I was extremely Neutral…
Hurling is a gift from the Almighty
That’s some win. After 10 mins I thought Fr O Neills were going to walk it. It’s mad 2 Tommy Walsh’s on the team and the refs name was Thomas Walsh.
Great day for Kilkenny clubs. Hope Ballyhale complete the treble tomorrow.
@Jason Pierce: it’d be a brave man who would hit a Walsh on that team, you’d have 7 others after you!
@John S: even the ref was Tommy Walsh
One of the best games ever to grace Croker. Gutted as a FON man but the lads gave it everything and more
@James Irwin: Ye were unlucky. Ye beat us in Kilfinane this year and it was a great game in difficult conditions. But today was an unbelievable game. It had everything. The 2 boys missing were a big loss. Overall the year was a great one for ye so you should be extremely proud of your team which I’m sure you are. Hope ye do great this coming year too
A cork team (male) really needed to get over the line at Croke Park in any division. Cork teams in the habit of losing big hurling games of recent times.
@Johnsinker: Father O Neills done themselves and Cork proud today. Yes they lost but they died with their boots on. The boys suspended were a huge loss. It’s tough to lose the way they did. I think they will be very competitive at senior level next year In Cork
@Johnsinker: Quite a stretch to claim a Fr O’Neills win at Croker would have had any relevance to the Cork senior hurlers later in the year. Ridiculous, in fact. What a game of hurling. Well done to both sides.
@Decko49: I think they will only be playing Senior 2 in Cork next year with the new set up.
The best thing to happen to Cork hurling was Fr O Neills winning intermediate championship to split up Imokilly.
@Jason Pierce: Yes you are correct about Senior 2 but they will be competitive. As for Imokilly, I agree with you about splitting them up. I think Father O Neills had 5 members of that panel.
@Decko49: they will Be competitive. I think some of those lower tier senior teams are poor enough. Fr O Neill’s should be way to strong for some of them. They will have a huge start on the others with fitness too.
Sounded unreal. I always think in a game that tight with one team having scored 2 goals more, if the other team can beat them by a point or two it’s well deserved
I read the whole article and still don’t know if it was football or hurling
@Scoozie: the fact it involved a kilkenny club was a big give away
@Breanainn Buggy: and the high scoring!
@Scoozie: obv dont recognise Tommy Walsh as a hurler then eh