U-21s’ skills like Dutch ‘total football’

The next step is to win the All-Ireland senior hurling title. That’s the challenge thrown down by former Clare manager, Ger Loughnane to the U-21 Munster and All-Ireland winning team.

Loughnane likened their performance in this year’s All-Ireland final to the displays of ‘total football’ by the Dutch soccer team in the ’70s.

 

Loughnane, who has proven credentials as an All-Star hurler and manager of two All-Ireland winning teams in the ’90s, spoke at a victory function in Ennis of the expectations of success that has developed in Clare in recent times.

“It’s hard to believe that in the last four years Clare have won five Munster championships and three All-Irelands,” said Loughnane. “Go back 20 years and if we won one Munster championship we thought we were great. Now we have won so much in such a short time, we want more.”

He said one of the greatest days he ever had was when Clare won the first All-Ireland U-21 title in Croke Park.

“They gave a performance I never even suspected I would see from a Clare team,” he said, likening their performance in this year’s All-Ireland final to the displays of ‘total football’ by the Dutch soccer team in the ’70s.

“Not alone was it a victory for quality hurling, terrific skills, use of space and the ability to find a man, it also provided the greatest, and this has been overlooked, tactical innovation I have ever seen in my time,” he said.

He recalled how Clare were six points clear after 20 minutes but found themselves three behind at half-time.

“We all said ‘typical Kilkenny, they let you get a start and then come back, hit you with two sucker blows before half time’.”

“Clare came out in the second half and instead of playing six forwards, they played four and sometimes three and it worked to perfection and they won the second half 1-10 to 0-4. It took great courage to make that switch. If it were done in a senior All-Ireland final it would go down in legend. The planning and the confidence to make the decision is something I have never seen before. That gives us hope and confidence for the future,” he said.

“The next step is to win that senior All-Ireland. You will have made a giant leap. You will be giving all those who supported you this year a new reference point. For Kilkenny and Tipperary their reference point is never far behind, it’s always close at hand.”

Loughnane cautioned against the danger of living in the past.

“We have terrific men at all levels. We have the greatest pool of skilful players in this county at the right age than we ever had. There is one ingredient, however, and it is the most vital one of all. I don’t know if you have it yet. Have you got the character?

“Character is what makes great teams. Character is what makes Kilkenny hurling, Manchester United and the All Blacks in rugby. Character is having men who will stand up and stick their chest out. Character makes leaders and without leaders you will never win a senior championship,” he said.

“The great Clare team that won before had great men. They played at their very best when the need was greatest. One of my favourites players of the present time is Brian Hogan of Kilkenny. He is neither the fastest, nor the most skilful, but when Kilkenny’s need is at its greatest, Hogan will stand up at centre-back and he will defy anyone to beat him. That’s character.

“When you get to the top and win the McCarthy Cup, there is no feeling like it. Clare supporters bring something to the game that very few other counties do. Make the winning of the McCarthy Cup your ambition, your target,” Loughnane concluded.

GAA president Liam O’Neill said Clare’s display in the U-21 final was one of the best he had seen. He said, “I would love to present the McCarthy Cup to Clare during my term as president. In 2014 it will be the 100th anniversary of Clare’s first All-Ireland win when they beat my own county, Laois in the final.

“If I get the opportunity to present the cup to Clare I will recall that I was present when the fuse was lit with the inspirational talk we heard tonight.”

O’Neill for president?
CLARE GAA chairman for the past five years, Michael O’Neill also paid tribute to the All-Ireland U-21 champions and their mentors.

“I have no doubt but that the Liam McCarthy Cup will be back here in two or three years,” the outgoing chairman said. In a recent interview he said, “Clare should seek to have someone elected as president of the GAA in the next 10 years”.

He hinted that he might put his hat in the ring when he said. “It’s a position that someday I’d love to go for myself”.