*Eoghan Gunning with long-serving Clare GAA sponsor Pat O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE had to back up their minor success of 2023 by adding an U20 All-Ireland and Munster double to the collection, inspirational captain Eoghan Gunning has said.
Gunning became the first Clare man to captain his side to All-Ireland glory at minor and U20 level, a feat he has also completed in Munster, when leading the county to glory in Sunday’s U20 decider against Galway.
On the field, he sets the example with his hurling from the front approach, his knack for claiming the sliotar in rucks and bursting forward sends the Clare crowd into full voice.
Off the field, his powerful speeches mark out him as a leader well beyond his nineteen years. Accepting the James Nowlan Cup from GAA President, Jarlath Burns a man also known for his oration skills, in Ardan O Riain of FBD Semple Stadium, Eoghan spoke superbly in Irish and English while describing it as the “honour of my lifetime” to captain his county and this group of players.
As he made his way back to the dressing room in Thurles, Eoghan spoke with The Clare Echo about his pride for all involved in their latest success. “It is so hard to describe it really but I’m so proud of everyone, on days like this you just have to admire the effort that has gone in over the whole year, the way we honoured that jersey was unbelievable”.
He may lead the side into battle but the Broadford clubman stressed there’s plenty of leaders within their dressing room. “It is an honour but we’ve so many different leaders in our group that have stepped up on different occasions, it is all about the group, we have savage stuff and we can always draw on different performances from over the years and setbacks from over the years, the focal points for us has been the really tough work”.
Clare’s full-back line where Eoghan has been joined by Robert Loftus, Matthew O’Halloran and Joe Casey has been the side’s strongest and most consistent throughout the championship. On Sunday, O’Halloran was tasked with marking Jason Rabbitte who is part of the Galway senior side while Aaron Niland’s addition also prompted a rejig in defence and not long after his arrival both Niland and Gunning picked up yellow cards.
Big names do not faze the Banner backs, Gunning stated. “We couldn’t care less who we are marking, we do our match-ups and we can take huge confidence from the performances we’ve put in, we’ve got certain match-ups right so we’re just delighted”.
Adding to the collection of medals was an important goal, the Mary Immaculate College first year student admitted. “Winning the minor was great, but where would you be winning the minor if you didn’t win an U20 alongside it. You can take great confidence going forward from winning any bit of silverware. If you look at our whole year, you can take great confidence [going forward] from the way we have worked and just built nicely”.
He added, “It shows that tough mindset. It was said to us at the start of the year that we were All-Ireland minor champions from 2023, but we didn’t read into that at all. We were just going to leave no stone unturned in the winter. We did savage, savage work. We have worked so hard over the last three years”.
Since getting over the line with the Brian O’Connell managed minors of 2023, these young Clare hurlers have not rested on their laurels. “There was a clear pathway put in front of us, as well. When we came in with the U20s the first year in 2024, the goal was the same: to get over the line in Munster. It is extremely hard and it took us three years to get there. You see all the players today, they have all come through development squads and developed at different rates. I’ve often referenced Thomas O’Connor. He was never on a development squad. He sprung in the last couple of weeks. In the Harty Cup, he showed well. He was putting his hand up in the Clare Cup. He was thrown in [at full-forward] and there was absolutely no fear of him.”
