by Paddy Hickey

Clare football boss Colm Collins has received a major boost for next year’s campaign with the news that former ace goalkeeper Declan O’Keeffe has agreed to join his backroom team.

Serving as the first-choice Kerry netminder from 1997 to 2003, O’Keeffe won two All-Ireland medals in 1997 and 2000 and he also received a brace of All Star awards in the same  years.

For the past two years, the Rathmore native has been operating as a goalkeeping coach to Kevin McStay’s Roscommon team, and he has now taken on a similar role with the Banner County.

“We’re delighted to have acquired a man of Declan’s pedigree and track record as a goalkeeper with Kerry and with his growing reputation and expertise as a goalkeeping coach,” enthused Collins on the acquisition of O’Keefee who succeeds former Clare goalkeeper James Hanrahan in the important role.

“And I’m sure that the goalkeepers on our panel will learn a lot over the coming year from all the advice and guidance that they will receive from Declan.

“And from a travelling point of view it’s also a convenient arrangement for Declan as he lives in Clare in the village of Quin,” added Collins on the new backroom member who played football for the Clooney-Quin club prior to hanging up his boots.

In an additional backroom change, Dublin native Brian Carson takes over as the Clare football coach from Galway-born Alan Flynn, who, after two years with the Banner County set-up, has linked up with Cian O’Neill’s Kildare team.

“Brian Carson is a lecturer in sports science at UL (University of Limerick) and he was in charge of the UL team which reached the semi-finals of the Sigerson Cup in the last two years,” explained Collins on his new football coach who still plays football with Limerick club Monaleen.

Another fillip for Clare, who made their 2018 Championship exit in the qualifiers’ clash against Armagh, at the Athletic Grounds, is that veteran defender Gordon Kelly has put all thoughts of retirement on the back burner for at least another year.

Now 35 years of age, Kelly is the Banner County’s most senior player.

But Colm Collins, who is heading into his sixth year at the Clare helm, and who again has entrusted ace midfielder Gary Brennan with the team captaincy role, says he is delighted that the Miltown-Malbay clubman has made himself available for the 2019 campaign.

“Gordon is a brilliant man to have around the place and his influence is always very positive,” said the Clare boss on Kelly, who made his senior inter-county debut under joint team managers Michael Brennan and Donie Buckley back in December 2005 in a challenge game against Galway.

 He does everything very professionally and he keeps himself in excellent physical shape, so it’s great to have him on board for another year.”

However, Kelly and his Miltown-Malbay clubmates Eoin Cleary and Kieran Malone will not be re-joining the Clare set-up for training until a later date.

“It’s only just two weeks since the Miltown lads were involved in the Munster Club final (lost to Kerrys Dr Crokes),” said Collins, whose side open their 2019 campaign with a McGrath Cup semi-final clash against Waterford, at Dungarvan, on January 6.

“So they fully deserve a break and they will come back to us when they’re ready.”

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