*Ian Galvin and Conor Cleary celebrate at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CONOR Cleary can never be accused of not giving his all when wearing the county jersey and the All-Ireland final was another such example of him giving every last drop in saffron and blue.
*John Conlon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill JOHN CONLON has made more championship appearances than any Clare hurlers and the two-time All-Ireland winner has confirmed he’ll be lining out with the county once more next year.
*Brian Lohan is lifted shoulder high in Shannon. Photograph: Eamon Ward ALL-IRELAND winning Clare manager, Brian Lohan has expressed his delight at the county’s hurlers securing “the ultimate reward in hurling”.
*Photograph: Eamon Ward THOUSANDS of Clare supporters flocked into the Fair Green on Monday evening to welcome home their hurling heroes, the recently crowned All-Ireland champions.
*Clare captain, Tony Kelly with manager Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill “IN Clare hurling like a religion and Brian Lohan is like our God,” said Tony Kelly as he captained the county to All-Ireland glory.
*Clare’s Tony Kelly with the Liam MacCarthy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A CHARACTER filled display saw Clare’s senior hurlers crowned All-Ireland champions for the fifth time with an extra time win over Cork.
*Paul Flanagan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill ONE irritating stigma that has consistently been thrown at Clare nationally over the past decade is that this team peaked in 2013 and were almost lucky to claim that crown as they failed to back it up ever since.
*Clare manager, Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BRIAN LOHAN is bidding to become the fourth man to lead Clare’s senior hurling team to All-Ireland glory.
*John Joe Costelloe at his home in Kildysart. Photograph: John Mangan. KILDYSART’s John Joe Costelloe has been following Clare hurling teams since 1974 and is regarded as one of the most genuine GAA supporters in the county.
*Shane O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill THE WHEEL turns full circle for Shane O’Donnell this Sunday when eleven years after his indelible All-Ireland Final debut as a carefree teenager, he faces the same opponents at the same stage in an almost eerie decider rematch against the Rebels once more.
