Galwegians have confirmed the appointment of former player and club captain Brian McClearn as their new Head Coach for 2016-17 and beyond.
A native of Abbey-Duniry in East Galway, McClearn joined Wegians in 1999 from the Nenagh club and was a prominent member of an U-20 squad which also included John Muldoon and Ray Hogan who both went on to play professional rugby. McClearn came through the ranks at Galwegians and served as a long-standing member of the senior squad.
A lock forward and line out specialist, he captained the Wegians 2nd XV to Connacht Junior Cup success in 2008. An ever present in the Wegians second row from 2008, McClearn continued playing senior club rugby right up until his retirement in 2015, when he captained Wegians Senior XV to promotion from UBL Division 2a to Division 1a in two consecutive seasons.
Last season he cut his coaching teeth by serving as Head Coach for NUIG RFC. So he now assumes the mantle at Crowley Park where he succeeds the recently departed Matt Brown. Galwegians hope that McClearn’s knowledge of the senior squad, many of whom are recent former colleagues, and his deep insight into the club culture will allow for a quick bedding-in period. His first challenge will be to try regain the Connacht Senior League title in August, before having another tilt at promotion from UBL Division 1b in the autumn.
McClearn said: “It is a tremendous honour to be appointed senior coach at Galwegians at such an early phase in my coaching career. The club, although hurting from recent relegation from UBL Division 1A are determined to make every effort to get promoted again and my job is to make sure that all of the playing resources at our club are maximised to the hilt. I have a terrific team and committee supporting me at the club and I cannot wait to get started on this journey.”
