*Brian Lohan. Photograph: Joe Buckley
Brian Lohan has yet to decide on whether he is keen to continue as Clare senior hurling manager.
The Clare Echo understands that the two-time All-Ireland winner is to take some time before deciding whether he wants to remain in charge of the Banner. Sources close to the Shannon man have said he has not made a decision on his inter-county future.
Lohan succeeded joint managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor in the role. He has had to deal with severe disruptions to preparations during his two years in charge. The Shannon man guided Clare to a quarter-final in 2020 while this season’s campaign ended in the qualifiers to Cork, a side that they have only defeated once in championship since the 2013 All-Ireland final.
Clare supporters applauded the senior hurlers from the field following Saturday’s championship exit with many fans rushing to their feet to show their appreciation.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Fergal Hegarty a former teammate of Lohan outlined that the County Board must act quickly to have the former UL Fitzgibbon Cup boss on board for 2022.
“Overall I think Brian Lohan has done a fantastic job. We all know there has been a lot of challenges on and off the field, a lot of sideshows but he has behaved impeccably, when he is interviewed, he shows class, he is tried to be drawn into sideshows but he doesn’t go there, he constantly backs his players and you can see they are playing for them, that is the big thing. The big thing for me now is that the County Board move to secure Brian for at least another year or however long he wants to stay with them, Brian has a young family and a lot of other interests, if they could secure Brian for at least another year and it is important to keep the group together,” the Kilnamona man said.
Hegarty added, “The big thing is there isn’t a whole lot of difference (between Brian Lohan as a player and manager), he has brought that manliness, doggedness, determination and spirit as a player, he was probably the greatest full-back that ever played the game in my eyes. He has got a great tune out of that team. He couldn’t have asked for anymore in terms of effort and that is all you want as a supporter, player or manager, they are reflecting the never say die attitude that Brian had. Clare teams in the last couple of years if they were five points down going into injury time, most teams would see it out but Clare kept going right till the end”.
