Clonlara Galvin-ised for ’Gunner fight

While their college and inter-county careers flourished, a coveted county senior hurling medal had eluded brothers Colm and Ian Galvin until Clonlara’s breakthrough six weeks ago. Now they stand only 60 minutes away from an unprecedented double as Clon look to stop Ballygunner from creating provincial history and open a new chapter of their own according to Eoin Brennan.

Clonlara’s surge to a first Canon Hamilton crown in 15 years is completely justified now but in the overall context it was still a major shock.
After all, manager Donal Madden wasn’t exaggerating when he said that avoiding relegation was their chief objective and anything after that would be a bonus.
What a bonus it turned out to be though as once Clonlara gathered confidence and momentum, they have blossomed to unprecedented heights and are now preparing to take on back-to-back champions Ballygunner (Waterford) in Sunday’s Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final in FBD Semple Stadium (3.30pm).
Let’s start with that county triumph though as while John Conlon was deservedly lauded for being the only Clonlara man to garner two county medals, spare a thought too for Colm Galvin who was the longest serving player not to have got his hands on the Canon Hamilton trophy.
“It had eluded me for a long time.” Began the four-time All-Ireland winner for Clare. “I think it had been four county finals and god knows how many semi-finals and quarter-finals since 2008 so I was a year or two too young when they last won it but we have it now and that’s the main thing.”
His younger brother Ian takes up the story in terms of its significance.
“For us, the years drifted by and the dreams seemed to be slowly dying but we got a sudden revival this year and I don’t think anyone saw it coming from the start of the year.
“So for us to do it in such a dramatic manner was just brilliant. The emotion that spread throughout the field in the aftermath of the county final was just class.”
And what was it like to win it playing alongside your brother?
“Unreal. For so long, he’s been the one probably winning the medals on his own. Colm has been on so many great teams down through the years and between college and county we had probably won pretty much all the main titles, Colm obviously winning the majority and I making up a few at schools and colleges levels. But this was the one that had got away from both of us so It made it extra special to get that medal and finally get over the line together.”
That togetherness and shared experience has been a major part of the overall Clonlara journey as having played on some great teams and alongside some legendary players of the club, Colm freely admits that there was something different about the class of ’23.
“I know this has been referenced a lot in the last few weeks but there is a really good bond within this group. Of course, there’s a certain bond with the majority of teams that train together but this has probably formed from hanging out outside of just playing hurling. Lads going for food together or recovery sessions so the bond has been massive.
“I suppose the management have also been very good in letting us deal with any problems that arise on the field ourselves so a lot of trust has been put in us and thankfully the players have responded and it’s that ownership and leadership that has gotten us over the line in tight situations more than once this year.
“I think the county final win has finally taken the monkey off our backs too.” Continued Colm. “Because of what had happened in previous semi-finals and finals, lads were so nervous and anxious to do well and it probably got to a couple of lads.
“This team is so young that they fear no-one so it has been totally refreshening as they’re just playing off-the-cuff and you can see that in their play that it’s almost freestyle hurling.
“They’re not tied down by fear or previous burdens so hopefully we’ll be able to push on and win a couple of more in the next few years.”
From a position in which he was forced to retire from inter-county at the beginning of 2022 due to persistent injuries to preparing for a Munster Senior Club Final against a three-in-a-row chasing Ballygunner in Semple Stadium is almost surreal for 30 year old Colm.
“Injuries have come right for me at the perfect time and If I was ever feeling anyway sore on a Tuesday or Thursday, I’d just go to Donal [Madden] and he’d tell me to sit it out whereas in previous years I would have probably just ploughed on.
“Being honest, down through the years, I probably didn’t listen to my body as I should have and made things worse in the long run so this year I’m just trying to watch things a small bit.
“It has worked out well so far as I haven’t had a pull or a strain in the last few months so that alone has been brilliant and fingers crossed it can continue that way.”
However, as Ian admits, this year has been special for their entire family, with the final being in FBD Semple Stadium this Sunday bringing its own unique significance.
“I think the first time that Colm and I played on the same championship team for Clare was my debut in 2017 when we beat Limerick in the Munster Semi-Final in Thurles.
“It’s funny, it was our first time playing together in Semple Stadium and our father [Kevin] also made his senior debut in Thurles so that was another special moment for our family.
“I suppose it makes you think that we’re pushing on in our careers now so these opportunities of playing together are getting slimmer so I think we enjoy these moments a lot more.
“Overall, I think we have got to enjoy it more this year too. We’ve been to county finals before and been on the opposite side of that emotion too so having experienced both sides of county final day, I think that gives you a greater appreciation of winning.
“Having finally done it with Clonlara, I can assure you that coming out on the right side of the result is much better and hopefully we can keep going now.”
Does that enjoyment extend to putting your wits against the juggernaut that is Ballygunner in a first ever Munster Senior Club Final?
“Definitely, coming into a Munster Final with no pressure is a joy.” Outlined current county senior Ian.
“Of course in an ideal world you’d rather play a Munster Final in the summer with good weather and good conditions but anytime you play in a Munster Final in Thurles, especially when it’s with your club, is just dream stuff really.
“The pressure is all on Ballygunner but have no doubt that we will be going all out to win this. “We’re under no illusions as to the calibre that Ballygunner have, I mean they’re almost an inter-county team but our aim is to go toe-to-toe with them and really test ourselves so we’re really looking forward to it.”
The stars have effectively aligned for Clonlara this year so is it about grasping that opportunity with both hands as it may not come around again?
“It’s like anything when you’re on a roll, of course you don’t want it to finish but we’re not silly enough to think that it doesn’t come to an end sometime.” Retorts 2013 All-Star Colm.
“As Ian said of course you’d love to be playing Munster Finals in the good weather but we’ll take this unique opportunity anyway it comes. I mean playing in Thurles on the 3rd of December against Ballygunner is our biggest ever day so hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves on Sunday and see where it takes us.”