*Brian Lohan is lifted shoulder high in Shannon. Photograph: Eamon Ward
ALL-IRELAND winning Clare manager, Brian Lohan has expressed his delight at the county’s hurlers securing “the ultimate reward in hurling”.
Year five of Lohan’s tenure as Clare boss saw them crowned All-Ireland and National Hurling League champions, the first time that the county has won both titles in the same year.
Speaking at a press conference following the All-Ireland final, Lohan admitted it “feels great” to become an All-Ireland winning manager. “It’s great for the lads to get a reward, the ultimate reward in hurling. I am delighted for Tony (Kelly) that he was able to go up the steps of the Hogan Stand and collect the trophy on behalf of the county, it’s brilliant for all the panel and in particular for those who have got their second All-Ireland”.
Getting on level terms at half-time was critical for Clare, Lohan outlined after they bounced back from a strong Cork start. “We started poorly, we were conscious that Cork all year have raced out of the blocks and we thought we were going to be able to handle it but they really started well. We hung in there, we toughed it out and we got back into it before half time and we were delighted to be level at half time”.
Responding to Robert Downey’s wonder goal was a sign of the character in the Clare ranks, the manager felt. “Aido (Aidan McCarthy) getting that goal brought us right back into it and we were able to relax a little and we hurled well from there on. Tony just caught fire in the second half and on into extra time. When you have got the likes of Tony and Shane, John and Diarmuid and Conor on the field you always have a chance. I am delighted for them and the whole squad”.
Shannon native Lohan who is regarded as one of the greatest full-backs to have played the game was pleased with the showing of Clare’s full-back line. “Coming up against the likes of a forward line that Cork have and the potential they have coming off the bench. I though our full back line was tremendous. They have been tremendous all year but sometimes they get a bit of a bad wrap because they are playing such quality players all the time. It’s a tough place in the full back line and Conor is one of the toughest guys we have”.
Ahead of extra time, captain Tony Kelly signalled that he was struggling with an injury, seeing as Clare had used their quota of five substitutes, no change could be made and instead coach Brendan Bugler instructed the Ballyea man to go to corner forward in additional time. Kelly was refreshed and played a leading role in the victory.
A different approach had to be followed for extra time, the manager outlined. “We had great faith in the group, great faith in the panel of players we picked, we hadn’t expected it to go to extra time but we had good belief in the group, changed around at the end of normal time, we approached it well, delighted for the guys that came on and the way they got up to the pitch of the game”.
He continued, “when Tony is playing there is a different dimension for us, there is always that threat when he is there, regardless of what position he plays and if a team ignores him they will suffer. we are just delighted to have him and delighted that he has collected the Liam MacCarthy cup as captain. I am thrilled for Conor (Cleary) as well, our vice captain and he collected the league trophy”.
A two-time All-Ireland winner himself, Lohan explained, “every game takes on a life of its own, every season takes on a life of its own. After the Munster final we took a break, the thinking was if we were going to go back into it we would prefer to lose a quarter final rather than a semi-final or final. The team came back with tremendous freshness, they were ready to go and there was real desire about the squad. Our leadership group in the team have that in them and I am delighted with the way they performed”.
