*John Conlon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
JOHN CONLON’s successful sporting year isn’t over just yet.
Conlon won his second-ever Clare SHC in October, playing a central role in the Donal Madden Clonlara managed side. The following week, he was back in Cusack Park but this time as coach to Truagh/Clonlara as they won the Clare senior camogie championship for the first time in their history.
On the inter-county front, John remained a pivotal figure at centre back for Brian Lohan’s Clare side who for the second year in a row reached the Munster final and All-Ireland semi-final. Conlon’s displays earned him an All Star award at centre back, his second time winning a coveted All Star.
He was of course, also named as The Clare Echo’s sporting person of the year but there was one more piece of success for the primary school teacher before he closed out 2023.
A total of 323 competitors took part in Tulla Utd’s last man standing fundraiser which began at the end of September, nine game weeks later the number was whittled down to 24 and by the next round 23 of these were knocked out thanks to Brighton drawing with Burnley, Wolves finishing on level terms with Brentford and Man Utd’s shock loss to Bournemouth.
Left as the last man standing following Everton’s win over Chelsea was a certain John Conlon from Clonlara who was presented with his €500 in prize money and a new Tulla Utd bobble hat by Chairman Mike Hoey along with competition co-ordinators Ray Bane and Daragh Corry. Eoghan Ryan was also involved in driving the fundraiser for the East Clare soccer club.
