Gaels remain tight lipped over Clarke's departure

Ronan Clarke is no longer the Cavan Gaels manager, The Anglo-Celt can reveal.

The Cavan Town club officials are refusing to comment on the Armagh man's sudden departure whilst they still remain in the Senior Football Club Championship.

Clarke steered Cavan Gaels into the last eight with a record of two wins and two defeats. His last match in charge was a defeat to current champions Castlerahan at the weekend. Described as “fragile” by The Anglo-Celt's match reporter, the Gaels conceded three goals before halftime and eventually went down on a scoreline of 4-7 to 1-8.

Now they prepare for the quarter-final clash with Kingscourt without a manager. The club refused to discuss if a caretaker would be brought in for the match on Sunday, September 15 at Lavey. They again refused to comment on speculation county manager, and Gaels clubman, Mickey Graham helped out by taking a training session this week.

In a separate blow to the club's 2019 season, it's understood that ace marksman Seannie Johnston is out for the rest of the championship with injury. Having only come on as a substitute in the group stages, the county star still racked up an unbelievable tally of 4-26, 10f.

All Ireland winner Ronan Clarke replaced Jason Reilly at the helm of the Gaels last November. In a glittering football career which coincided with Armagh’s glory days, Clarke won one All Ireland (2002), five Ulster Championships (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008), and a National League title (2005). The talented, bustling forward’s career was blighted by serious injury, yet he still won two All Stars.