Clare seek to be major like minors

A pivotal week for Clare hurling certainly got off to the ideal start last Sunday when the minor hurlers soared to a first All-Ireland crown in 26 years. With a similar 25 year gap to the county’s last provincial senior crown when Brian Lohan himself was at his dominant best, the four-time All-Star will be looking to take a leaf out of Brian O’Connell’s side’s book when lining out against Limerick in their own home patch this Sunday (1.45pm).
Witnessing the minor feat at first hand, Lohan was gushing in his praise of such an accomplished final performance against neighbours Galway in Semple Stadium.
“It was brilliant. From the quality of their players themselves, how they approached the game, their speed, touch and movement to the brand of hurling that they played, I was just so delighted to see a Clare team play like that in an All-Ireland Final.
“Hats off to everyone associated with this minor team, it was an outstanding performance and to produce that on their biggest day in the All-Ireland Final, one couldn’t have asked for any more.
“Looking at their squad from 1-26 and the quality that’s there, it’s probably the best minor team we’ve ever had and that’s a fair achievement in itself as there has been some great ones down through the years.
“So winning that and the manner in which they did so is just brilliant for the county.”
Timely too as the buzz surrounding Clare hurling at present is now at fever pitch as despite having to concede home venue to four-in-a-row champions Limerick, Lohan and Co have already beaten their hosts there only six weeks earlier at the group stages.
It was a necessary decision though according to the Shannon native.
“When it was revealed that our preferred option of Thurles wasn’t going to happen, then logistically from a supporters’ and a playing perspective, from all our perspectives really, it was the obvious choice.”
The other major talking point ahead of Sunday’s latest Shannonside showdown is the availability of ever-present full-back Conor Cleary who had to retire prematurely in Clare’s last outing against Cork three weeks ago with a dislocated shoulder.

Hats off to everyone associated with this minor team, it was an outstanding performance and to produce that on their biggest day in the All-Ireland Final, one couldn’t have asked for any more.

The St Joseph’s Miltown clubman who plays his hurling for Kilmaley is in a race against time to take his place in the starting 15 on Sunday according to his manager.
“We just don’t know about Conor yet. We’ve left that entirely in the hands of the physios to call and we’ve just had to plough on with our preparations on the field. If he can make it great but if he can’t, we just have to deal with that outcome as well so only time will tell on that front.”
With never more than a puck of the ball between Clare and Limerick in last year’s decider until the dying embers of extra-time, another inch-tight Munster Final is expected on Sunday.
However, while Clare’s decision to play in the TUS Gaelic Grounds allied to the Banner’s group stage victory does put additional pressure on the home side’s shoulders, Lohan still points to Limerick’s vast winning know-how as the ultimate hurdle that his Clare side need to clamber over in order to match their minor counterparts.
“Obviously they [Limerick] have all the silverware, they have all the medals, they have all the titles and realistically we have nothing so it’s a big challenge for our lads but it’s one we’re looking forward to so let’s see what happens on Sunday.”