*John Conlon. Photograph: Joe Buckley
Returning to a Munster Final for the first time since 2018 is the goal for the Clare hurlers when they take to the field on Sunday, captain John Conlon has outlined.
Tipperary stand in Clare’s way of securing a place in the provincial decider and they face the short journey to LIT Gaelic Grounds for Sunday’s encounter which will have 500 spectators permitted to attend.
“Our main goal is to get to a Munster final, Tipp were All-Ireland champions two years ago, we know the battle is going to come, they have a massive amount of players, the hardest thing for them is picking the team because they’ve an abundance of talent, we will have to be ready,” a defiant Conlon told The Clare Echo.
Recent internal games for Liam Sheedy’s were quite intense with a strong competition for places brewing in the Premier camp. “They are a different kettle of fish, it is a different type of game, they’ve a massive amount of talent, we will be underdogs going into it again for sure but we will be ready for the fight. All you want is to be playing championship matches”.
Conlon shone at centre-back in their four point quarter-final win over Waterford. “I hadn’t played a championship game in two years so it was great to get out and play again”.
Much discussion on Clare’s displays this year has centred on the deployment of the primary school teacher to the number six spot. “The first few weeks I was trying to break out with every ball, now it is about being a bit composed, taking a second on a ball to think of where the easy pass is, as a forward I’m not afraid to hit the pass whereas a back coming out will often be afraid to hit it, I wouldn’t be afraid to hit any pass or drive it long. I’m trying to think what I’d like myself at times”.
Use of the ball defensively has improved in recent outings, he felt. “We went out against Antrim, it was our first game, I know we lost the game but I was only delighted to be playing a game because I hadn’t played in 15 months, it was a baptism of fire for me, learning the position and facets, I sat back after that match and said I need to think like a forward”.
He was vociferous with his praise for Banner boss, Brian Lohan. “When Brian put me back there at the start of the year I said I wanted six backs that were going to be dogged and communicating through the roof, I think we’ve found a place for everyone up the field, there has been great shape growing to the team over the last few matches which has been great. Fair play to Brian and them, they brought us in at the end of last year, they told us what they wanted us to, we told them what we needed extra to go that extra bit, Brian has done everything we’ve wanted of him, everything we’ve wanted on and off the field Brian has bent over backwards to get it for us, he is a super Clare man”.
“There hasn’t been a game yet that Brian hasn’t given me a Fs from the sideline, I’ve often had to tell him to calm but we all know the passion he has and when he used to play, he doesn’t speak too often but when he does you listen”.
