*Clare manager, Brian Lohan.
TONY Kelly’s loss through illness was a massive blow to Clare’s senior hurlers but it wasn’t an excuse for their eight point loss, manager Brian Lohan said.
Speaking in the aftermath of Clare’s second round defeat to Waterford, Lohan said they “wouldn’t be using that (Kelly’s absence) as an excuse. Waterford played well and it was a good performance from them”.
He explained, “we were aware all week of Tony’s situation but we were hopeful that he might be ready to play but it didn’t happen”.
Clare were without four starters from last year’s All-Ireland winning side with Kelly, Conor Cleary, Diarmuid Ryan and Hurler of the Year Shane O’Donnell absent. “That’s what you have to deal with. I wouldn’t be making any excuses because of that. We have to hold our hands up and take our beating and move on”.
On the potential of having any or all of the quartet available for their crunch clash with Tipperary in a fortnight’s time, he said, “we don’t know”.
While the two-time All-Ireland winning full-back was pleased with the performance of his full-back line, he felt the decision to award Waterford a penalty early in the second half had to be analsyed. He said he had “a big question mark about the referee’s interpretation for the penalty and I have just spoken to Adam (Hogan). Look sometimes those decisions go for you and sometimes they don’t”.
Lohan added, “that penalty decision was a key turning point, it was massive”. He noted, “Waterford were definitely clinical and their supporters were delighted and fair play to them”.
Focus now switches to Tipperary who make the journey to Cusack Park on May 10th. “There is big pressure for every game, it’s such a competitive championship”.
