‘To join the list of men who have won an All-Ireland for Clare is absolutely amazing’

This week’s Clare Champion includes a very special, 16-page souvenir supplement to mark Clare’s success in the All-Ireland Hurling Final. In this supplement we talk to Tony Kelly, Brian Lohan, Shane O’Donnell, John Conlon, Conor Cleary, Cathal Malone, Eibhear Quilligan, Brendan Bugler, Pat O’Donnell, Tommy Corbett, Deirdre Murphy, Davy Fitzgerald and many more. We also have all the colour from before, during and after the game, the excitement from the homecoming events on Monday night and a souvenir team poster. This collector’s item is in the shops now.
Below, Derek Dormer chats to Cathal Malone.

Moments after being introduced to the almost 40,000 Banner supporters in the Fair Green midfielder Cathal Malone took time out to speak exclusively to the Clare Champion about the match itself and what the victory means to everybody.
“It’s absolutely incredible, a feeling that I’ve honestly never experienced anything like it before and one that will stay with me forever. I joined the panel in 2014 and after the success of 2013 you just hoped you’d get your turn but it’s not easy. There’s so much that goes into being competitive never mind actually winning. Massive sacrifices have gone into this and it’s ten years of sheer graft which has culminated in this fantastic moment here tonight. What a night and what an occasion for all the County. For me personally actually winning the All Ireland hadn’t really sunk in if I’m being honest about it but looking out at that crowd there and to see the joy on people’s faces it’s beginning to dawn on me what we, as a group, have achieved.”
On the game itself the player who hurls with Sixmilebridge and plays his football with Ennistymon feels that the match was similar to all the other games along the way except of course Liam MacCarthy awaited the winners.
“The match was just like every other game in the sense that it’s just full on sheer intensity from the second the ball is thrown in. All the round robin games are tense and there’s so much on the line. We went to Pairc UI Chaoimh earlier in the group stages with potentially our whole year on the line and similar to last year in the Gaelic grounds we managed to get the job done and that was a real tense encounter.”
Coming into the final Cork midfielder Dara Fitzgibbon was being touted as potentially the hurler of the year but the Charleville clubman was nullified by a superb display from the Lisdoonvarna based teacher. Malone sacrificing his own game followed Fitzgibbon all over Croke Park so much so that Cork had to switch the 2018 All Star but the man who will now travel for two months feels that was his job and to do any job for your County is an honour.
“Everyone has job to do in the team and whatever Brian and the management team ask for as a player you’re only too happy to fulfill any role. At the end of the day as cliche as it sounds all that actually matters is winning.”
Rumours of Cathal travelling and taking time off from hurling are quickly put to bed by the four time Canon Hamilton winner and he is already planning for next year.
“I’m only going away for two months and will be one hundred percent back when the league comes around. Winning the All Ireland was a lifetime goal and the feeling of elation at the final whistle will stay with me forever.”
That feeling of pure joy brought out all the emotions in the two time National League winner.
“To be honest it’s very emotional. All that work finally paying off is brilliant and to see what it means to everyone is so special. For all my family and all my friends it’s just one of the best moments ever. To join the list of men who have won an All Ireland for Clare is amazing and it really doesn’t get any better than this.”
From talking to the two time All Ireland Under 21 winner one gets the sense there’s plenty more to come.
“We’re a very ambitious group and we all love playing for Clare. There’s a real bond between us all built up over several years and we will one hundred percent enjoy this but we will regroup later in the year and we will all be back in the new year and go again for the great people of this wonderful County.”