Versatile Conlon is Clare’s ultimate warrior

John Conlon is not only revelling in his new role at centre-back but Clare’s longest serving current player is also on track to reach another milestone of 50 championship appearances before the round-robin series is elapsed.

Having carved out his reputation as a powerful attacking force that has totalled over 100 points for the Banner, the Clonlara stalwart has subsequently demonstrated his true class over the past twelve months by seamlessly reverting to defensive anchor.

And following two victories in the space of seven days in Thurles, Conlon understandably doesn’t want Clare’s momentum to stop.

“We’ve come to Thurles a lot over the years. In the 14 years I’ve been playing against Cork, I think it’s very rare that we’ve come out with a win, if any, so to come out today and bring out that type of performance is brilliant. We said we needed to back up the Tipp performance and we certainly did that today.

“It was great to see the Clare crowd back, I could hear them on the hill there and I haven’t heard that in a while so it all helps to build momentum.

“There’s a great bond within the group and as the elder statesman of the team. I’m really enjoying the youth and energy that’s around the group at the moment.”

So what have been the secrets of Clare’s scintillating start to date?

“In the last few weeks since the league, training went very well leading up to championship. Shane [O’Donnell] and Peter [Duggan] had come back and just seemed to be buzzing over that five weeks.”

“Things were coming right and you could just feel it and wanted to show that in the performance last weekend and it came. And then we wanted to back up that performance this weekend and we did that so it’s just about focusing on each game as it comes.

“Look, in fairness, the management have got it all right. We zoned in on everything that we kind of did wrong last year in Limerick and everything that we focused on during the week worked today so we’re just delighted to get over the line really.”

“I actually think this Munster round-robin campaign suits us, being week-on-week. I think our record is fairly good so we’re just looking forward to all the games and we’ve two left in Ennis, no better place to play them.”

Having excelled in their two weekend trip to Tipp, the pressure gauge will be heightened as Clare host four-in-a-row chasing Munster champions Limerick on Sunday week. However, Conlon is simply counting down the days until the Treaty County arrive in Ennis.

“It will be huge. In 2018, there was a savage buzz around the town and the great thing about Cusack Park is that it’s right in the centre of town so it leads to an almost partizan atmosphere.
“I’m sure Limerick are going to have a massive crowd there as they usually do so we’re looking forward to it and I’m sure they [Limerick] are too.”