"He was up in the stand - God help him! Pacing up and down, backwards and sideways"
September 05, 2016
The Clare players celebrate their All-Ireland IFC semi-final victory over Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.
©INPHO/Tommy Dickson.
By Jackie Cahill
Clare's stand-in boss Daniel Moynihan is more than happy to hand back the managerial reins to his brother Neil for the TG4 All-Ireland intermediate ladies senior football final on September 25.
Neil was banned from the touchline for Saturday's thrilling 3-14 to 2-16 semi-final victory over Tipperary and in his absence, Daniel filled the role of 'acting manager.'
Niamh O'Dea was the star of the show, scoring the winning point late on to bring her match tally to 2-5 (2-4 from play).
Clare ran down the clock in a frantic final minute as Tipp argued that the clock should have been stopped as the ball was kicked away while they were preparing to take a '45.
At full-time, Gerry McGill confirmed to players and Tipperary ladies football board officials that he's stepping down after one season at the helm.
McGill, who guided Dublin to All-Ireland senior glory in 2010, will prove a tough act to follow after masterminding Munster final victory over Clare earlier in the campaign and the early front-runner to succeed him is former Tipp boss and ex-Cork selector Shane Ronayne.
Clare, meanwhile, have a first intermediate decider since 2009 to prepare for and the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup showpiece will pit the Banner County against Kildare, two teams with recent senior experience.
Daniel Moynihan said: "Kildare are no slouches, they were in the final last year. "They're a top, top team and it's going to take a lot from us again."
He added: "It was absolutely nerve-wracking, tough as a manager, an acting manager if you like.
"I would have loved if Neil was out here but we've set it up for Neil to come back in and manage in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day. That's what I wanted most.
"Unfortunately Neil was suspended for two weeks and he missed this game. "Huge disappointment for him, he's put a hell of a lot of work into this team. "He's a fantastic coach but he's back in there for All-Ireland final day and deservedly so.
"He was up in the stand - God help him! Pacing up and down, backwards and sideways."
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