*Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
LIMERICK remain the one Munster team “head and shoulders” above the remaining teams in the province, Clare manager Brian Lohan has said.
Lohan’s charges remain unbeaten in the 2024 Allianz National Hurling League after producing a strong finish to beat Kilkenny by three points on Sunday afternoon in Cusack Park.
“It’s good to get a win, good for our backs to play so well, good to keep Kilkenny to sixteen points and from scoring a goal as well. It’s a positive result and a positive enough performance”, was the immediate reflection of Lohan following the fourth round tie.
He was pleased with a number of aspects of the display. “There were some really good scores and some really hard work all over the field. It’s a non-negotiable really when you play against these good teams, you have to work really hard and our lads did”.
When asked if he felt they needed to beat Kilkenny after last year’s All-Ireland semi-final loss he replied, “we try to win all big games”
Clare’s manager added, “we have another game on Saturday against Offaly, another opportunity to give game time to the lads”.
Getting to line out in Cusack Park is the aim of all players on the Clare panel, Brian said. “We are carrying a big panel and they all want to play in the big games, they want to play in Cusack Park when its full, they are working really hard and that’s what expected from inter county hurling now, working real hard, off the field and on the field”.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Munster championship, Lohan stated, “no one is surprised with the view that the Munster championship will be difficult to win. There are good teams all over the place with one head and shoulders above the rest”.
Prior to Sunday’s tie, Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell and Ryan Taylor completed a running session in Cusack Park. Giving an update on their progress, the Shannon man said, “he (Tony) is working with the physio, working behind closed doors, doing as much as he can to get back. It’s the same with the rest of the lads who are injured, Shane O’Donnell, David McInerney, Ryan Taylor, they are all working really hard”.
