*Clare’s Adam Hogan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Clare defender Adam Hogan felt that he should have got a free in the dying moments of a dramatic Munster final against Limerick but doesn’t blame referee Liam Gordon for missing it.
By Tomás McCarthy
In the sixth minute of injury time, the Banner number two burst onto the ball and got challenged by William O’Donoghue and Gearóid Hegarty. “It was split second stuff,” Hogan recalls.
“Unusual enough, I was up in the forwards and I got the ball. I put my head down and I felt I got tackled high and I fell to the ground. The ref didn’t really see it so I can’t really have any complaints,” he added.
Like all the saffron and blue supporters in the Gaelic Grounds, he was surprised not to hear the whistle blow. “I was, kind of. Everyone around me was saying that it was a free. You can’t really blame the ref, he didn’t really see it.”
Manager Brian Lohan addressed a devastated dressing room afterwards. “Straight after the game, it was fair disappointment. Everyone was in shock really. Brian spoke and it became clear that we’re still in the championship and we have a great chance. We need to get back on the horse. It’s there for us if we want it. He couldn’t be prouder of us really. Uncharacteristic mistakes cost us. Sure, you have those days and hopefully, we’ll right the wrongs”.
Speaking at the launch of the All Ireland Series at the De La Salle GAA Grounds in Waterford, Hogan was showing the scars of battle on his right arm. “This is my first year and Limerick are definitely the two toughest matches I’ve had. The physicality is out of this world. I didn’t really expect it the first day but, Jesus, they’re big boys! You’d have bumps and bruises after it but it’s worth it.”
He agrees with Limerick midfielder Darragh O’Donovan that water breaks were needed on a sweltering Munster final Sunday. “No tactic boards and stuff just put the forwards and backs together and have a bit of water. I think they should have done it with the warm weather. Fifteen minutes gone, we needed water”.
The 2022 Harty Cup medallist with St Joseph’s Tulla has become a regular in the Banner full back line this season. He has massive respect for Brian Lohan. “He’s some character. Whatever he says, you really listen and you take it to heart. He’s a gent to talk to. He means the best for the players.” The new kid on the block was too young to see the legendary number three in action as a player. “I was born in 2003! He was nearly finished when I was born”.
The young defender was unable to lead out the Clare Under 20s in the Munster final against Cork last month as a player can’t tog out for the Under 20s and seniors within a seven-day period. Terence Fahy’s charges lost to the Rebels by two points.
Speaking to TG4 after the game, man of the match Ben Cunningham said that it was “an absolute disgrace” that Hogan and Cork defender Eoin Downey couldn’t take the field.
“It was very tough, being captain especially,” Hogan admits. “In the dressing room before it, I didn’t really know what to say. The rule is there, I think it should be changed. It was very tough. Being there at a Munster final and not being able to go out on the field. The lads did themselves proud and they were only two points away from beating Cork. It should be the decision of the senior manager and the Under 20 manager. In fairness, Brian and Terence communicated effectively with each other and never got mixed up about whether I was training or not”.
