Football

Clarke ends his coaching days

FORMER Louth manager Paddy Clarke has brought the curtain down on his long and illustrious coaching career.

The Drogheda native was one of the most respected football coaches in the country and managed teams to county titles in Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and Dublin.

He guided St Brigid's of Blanchardstown to a Leinster club SFC title in 2003, 12 months after

losing the provincial decider with Mattock Rangers. During his four years in charge of the Wee County at the turn of the millennium, he was unlucky not to make a breakthrough in Leinster, but he did manage to win Allianz League Division 2 and All-Ireland 'B' titles. Clarke, who was involved in coaching for over 40 years, also had two spells as assistant manager of the Ireland International Rules team.