*Clare’s Diarmuid Ryan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
With all eyes firmly focused on the commencement of the Munster SHC this Sunday, it is hard not to reflect back on an eventful 2022 which saw Brian Lohan’s men reach a Munster final and the last four of the All Ireland series.
By Ivan Smyth
One of the noticeable aspects of last year’s Munster Championship was the Clare support increasing throughout the year with Cusack Park proving a cauldron of noise when hosting Limerick and Waterford.
Clare defender Diarmuid Ryan admits that the Banner winning their home games will be crucial and replicating the support the team enjoyed can held this outfit to get points on the board this Sunday.
“When you are playing in Cusack Park and playing at your best, you can feel the crowd’s support. There is pride in the Clare jersey because you are representing a lot of people. Everyone gets behind us when we are doing well or even if they see you trying your hardest. We want to be winning at home and making Cusack Park a fortress”.
“It can be an intimidating place to come to when the crowd is so close. The players have experienced a packed Cusack Park so hopefully we will have another packed out game and get that support again”.
After making his Championship debut in 2019 against Waterford at wing forward, Ryan has consistently grew in to an important cog in the Clare wheel. The 23 year old feels that he now has the experience banked to better deal with the pre-game nerves than when he started out.
“I try and put an emphasis on not being too nervous. It can drain you. In 2019 I was nervous playing because it was something new. With experience I got more comfortable with my job. I always try to go out and play to my strengths while sticking to the plan. Now the nerves go a small bit more and I become more focused on the job at hand. The experience of playing in Croke Park and a Munster final would benefit you”.
Ryan is currently studying a post grad in Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) at Mary Immaculate College. He describes balancing the workload of college, Fitzgibbon Cup and the demands of inter county as “organised chaos” but insists the positives outweigh the drawbacks.
“There are plenty of people in the same predicament. You just have to get on with it. The teaching career is a choice for years to come. It’s about finding a balance. You can be pulled every which way in January and February so it was tough”.
“It’s nice to take the time your mind off the studies while the teaching gives you a break from thinking about the match because you have to be focused when you’re in the classroom. There are benefits to both. It’s organised chaos but it’s nice to have something to distract you from the hurling too”.
The rivalry between Clare and the all-conquering Limerick side was raised a few notches after two epic battles in last year’s championship.
Ryan is getting the full experience of the rivalry right now as he is currently on placement at Moyross National School. “I am out of the hurling buzz in Clare a bit. There are a lot of soccer fans there (in Moyross NS) so it’s something new to be out of Clare. It takes your mind off it and it’s fun because of the Limerick, Clare rivalry. It adds to the enjoyment”.
This Sunday will see Clare face the side that last beat them in championship fare at Cusack Park; Tipperary. The former Harty Cup winner with Ardscoil Rís knows that Clare need to be aware of the goal threat posed by Liam Cahill’s men, with the Premier County firing in 14 goals during their six League games.
“They will bring a savage intensity and work rate. We need to match that otherwise we will be found out. They are goal hungry so we have to stop them from getting chances. We know how important the first game is because you can maybe look up a bit after winning your first game. They will have a chip on their shoulder from last year so it’s going to be a battle”..
With much of the spring discussion surrounding how and who can stop Limerick, Tipperary’s goal scoring touch and Davy Fitzgerald’s return to Waterford, Clare enter the cut and thrust of championship battle without much eyes focused in their direction.
The Cratloe man is content to allow the attention be placed elsewhere. “I suppose we are a small bit (under the radar). We don’t take much notice. Limerick have been winning silverware so understandably there are more people talking about them. We will stick to our own plan and keep to ourselves. It’s nice to be under the radar. It’s the same thing as last year. In the end maybe there was too much talking and hype about us towards the end of the year. We don’t want to get carried away so we will let our hurling do the talking”.
For a Clare defender, there is arguably nobody better to learn from than Brian Lohan. Ryan feels the former full back is an invaluable asset to the cause as Clare go in hunt of silverware.
“Brian has been phenomenal since he came in. The man has silverware under his belt. He knows what it takes to win. You can always take snippets from him. He spends a good bit of time giving out pointers and tips so you would look to him for guidance. He always wants us to bring that work rate and let the result look after itself. He demands work rate and intensity so we hope that will get us over the line and help us have a long Munster and All Ireland campaign”.
