Kilkenny go public in search for new senior camogie boss

The Kilkenny Camogie Board have gone down a different road in their search for a senior manager for the 2025 season.

In a new departure, the board have gone public in their search for a new boss after advertising the role on social media in the last week or so.

Intending candidates had until 5pm yesterday (Wednesday) to apply for the role by contacting the Kilkenny Camogie Secretary, Theresa Hunston at secretary.kilkenny@camogie.ie.

Among the requirements on offer were:
- Up-to-date child safeguarding course and Garda vetting forms.
-Minimum Level 1 coaching courses completed.
- Previous management experience at intercounty level.

The role will require a considerable amount of time and effort, so applicants were asked to take that into consideration before applying.

Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere announced his resignation from the Kilkenny job after only one season in charge and there will be much debate about who will be in contention to take on the role.

Back-to-back All-Ireland quarter-final defeats and the loss of a number of key experienced players to either retirement or emigration including Denise Gaule, Grace Walsh and Claire Phelan among others have ensured that Kilkenny are going through something of an uncertain period.

Brian Dowling had led the Cats to All-Ireland success in both 2020 and 2022, before taking on the Kildare senior hurling job where he led them to Christy Ring Cup glory earlier this year.

Dowling’s management team during those two All-Ireland victories included Tommy Shefflin (his is a name on a lot of people’s lips), Ray Challenor, Philip Larkin and Pat O’Neill and it would be interesting to see if any of that quartet would be eager for a return to the sideline.

Outside of them, James Stephens clubman John Scott led the Kilkenny intermediates to the All-Ireland final in 2021 as did Carlow’s Seamus Kelly only two weeks ago. Their names are bound to be discussed as is that of Donal Carroll who managed Dicksboro to the All-Ireland senior camogie title just before Christmas last year.

Current Kildare camogie boss Mike Wall is another one to come into the reckoning after he guided Kilkenny to an All-Ireland minor title in 2021, with a number of that team now primed to make the breakthrough onto the senior squad.

There’s also the option of going outside the county boundary and the public advertisement may suggest it’s a realistic option to the decision makers.

With the championship at senior, intermediate and junior all kicking off this weekend, getting a new incumbent into the role as soon as possible will be crucial to keep an eye on any burgeoning talent on show over the next few weeks.