Peter Keane set to be ratified as new Clare football manager

Former Kerry boss Peter Keane is set to be appointed as the new manager of the Clare senior footballers, taking over from fellow Kerryman Mark Fitzgerald.

After only one season at the helm, Fitzgerald, who guided the Banner to a Munster final appearance and a place in the All-Ireland series, departed to take up a role with the Kingdom U-20s.

Keane, who was a successful manager of Kerry minors, winning three All-Irelands on the trot from 2016 to 2018, was subseqently named senior boss.

In his first year at the helm, the Green and Gold lost to Dublin after an All-Ireland final replay. In the Covid championship, a last-gasp Cork goal saw them eliminated at the Munster semi-final stage. And in 2021, there was more heartache when Tyrone prevailed after extra-time in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Re: Clare Senior Football Manager Position pic.twitter.com/WFRRdhtGwn

A matter of weeks later, Keane's time was up, with Kerry appointing Jack O'Connor for his third stint in the hotseat.

Keane was recommended to the Clare county board by a selection committee including chairperson Kieran Keating, head of operations Deirdre Murphy, along with former players Dermot Coughlan and David Tubridy. He will be ratified as manager at November's county board meeting.

The Banner will begin 2025 in Division 3 of the Allianz League, with the possibility of another Munster final appearance against Kerry next May, this after both counties were kept apart in the recent provincial draw.