 While the players hoped that Clifford would remain on as coach, he was replaced at the end of the season, however, the fact that he had undergone a heart bypass operation was not cited as not being the reason behind his failure to be reappointed.After a one-year absence from inter-county management, Clifford returned to partner Charlie McCarthy as joint-coach of the Cork minor team.Success was instant, with Cork claiming their first Munster Minor Championship in six years after a five-point victory over Tipperary before later adding the All-Ireland Minor Championship title following a 3-10 to 0-12 win over Wexford in the final.