Dolan takes over as Offaly camogie boss
The Offaly Camogie Board has confirmed the appointment of Conor Dolan as the county’s new senior team manager.
Dolan’s appointment as manager was ratified at a meeting of the county board last night (Wednesday). Dolan replaces Jack Maher who departed the manager’s role following the conclusion of the county’s senior camogie championship campaign.
He will be joined in the role by Seoirse Bulfin, who has been appointed as coach to the senior panel. Pamela Nugent, who has been appointed as Offaly U23 manager, will also serve as a selector with the senior team, ensuring a strong link between the two squads.
A native of Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, Dolan has been involved in inter-county camogie since 2018. He was part of Cathal Murray’s Galway management team in 2018 and 2019, culminating in the All-Ireland senior camogie title in 2019.
From 2020 to 2022 he managed and coached his native Clare at both senior and junior level, before taking charge of the Galway intermediate camogie team for the 2023 season. Conor also brings extensive club experience, having managed and coached senior club hurling teams in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, as well as a four-year spell with Ardrahan in Galway.
Seoirse Bulfin brings a wealth of top-level coaching experience to the Offaly set-up. A native of Bruff, Co. Limerick, he enjoyed a 20-year adult playing career with his club, captained Mary Immaculate College in the Fitzgibbon Cup, and kept goal for the Limerick minor hurlers.
His coaching career began as GAA Development Officer at LIT, where he was part of the management team that won Fitzgibbon Cup titles in 2005 and 2007.
Bulfin has since coached at the highest level of the inter-county game with Waterford, Clare and Wexford, helping Clare to the All-Ireland senior hurling title in 2013 and the National League in 2016, and Wexford to the Leinster title in 2019. He later managed the Meath and and Westmeath senior hurlers. Seoirse also has camogie success to his name, having guided Ballyagran to the Limerick senior championship in 2011.
Pamela Nugent is a familiar face in Offaly camogie. The Drumcullen woman is a former Offaly goalkeeper who has managed her own club and has been involved with many Offaly teams through the years. The Offaly Camogie Board said “her knowledge of the game in the county and her experience in developing players make her a valuable addition to both the U23 and senior set-ups”.
Speaking on the appointments, Offaly Camogie Board chairman Donal Rigney said: “We are thrilled to welcome Conor, Seoirse and Pamela into these roles. To attract a management team with All-Ireland winning experience is a real statement of intent for Offaly camogie.
"We’re confident they will build on the hard work of our players and continue to develop the game in the county. Having Pamela manage the U23s while also working with the senior group gives us a real pathway for our young players.”
The board also thanked the outgoing management team headed by Jack Maher for their dedication and service to Offaly camogie.