McNamara hopes to meet squad

by Nick Royle , 29 October 2009

Manager Mike McNamara hopes to meet the squad as soon as possible to discuss the complaints outlined in an unsigned letter to the Clare County Board.

At Tuesday's meeting, the board gave McNamara unanimous backing to continue for another year.

Clare won just one of 10 competitive games last season, and were relegated to Division 2 of the NHL and involved in a championship relegation play-off against Wexford.

17 Clare players attended an end-of-season meeting, after which they outlined in a letter their dissatisfaction with McNamara's methods, and the manager now wants to meet his squad in order to head off a possible player strike.

County board chairman Michael O'Neill acknowledged that a missive had been sent from the panel, but insisted that McNamara still had their backing.

"Mike McNamara was appointed last year for a two-year period, and that hasn't changed. We had a note from the players which outlined certain difficulties, and I think that should be given a little time," explained O'Neill.

"We need to give the board officers, the management and the players time to discuss this, and prepare for 2010. I don't believe that out in the public domain is the place to discuss those issues.

"I expect the support of the meeting on this, I don't expect any dissenting voice; the management and players are entitled to that.

"We have tremendous respect for this management and we have tremendous respect for these players. Whatever is to be discussed will be discussed."

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