*Aron Shanagher leaves Jack Kirwan in his path. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill HOT FAVOURITES for an immediate return to the senior grade, Wolfe Tones have qualified for the semi-finals of the Clare IHC but they had to pull out all the stops to overcome Parteen/Meelick.
*Tony Kelly and Brian Lohan lift the Liam MacCarthy. Photograph: Joe Buckley CLARE manager Brian Lohan was lifted shoulder high as he made his return to his native Shannon fresh from guiding the county to win the All-Ireland senior hurling championship.
*Tony Kelly lifts the Liam McCarthy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CAPTAINING Clare to All-Ireland glory “is the best thing I probably will ever do in hurling,” Tony Kelly has said.
*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.
*Clare coach Shane Hassett with Aidan McCarthy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE’S survivors from the 2013 team stood tallest to help the county bridge an eleven year wait for All-Ireland success.
*Brendan Bugler with his son Darragh on the field in Croke Park. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill AN ALL-IRELAND winner as a player, Brendan Bugler added the distinction of coaching his county to win the ultimate honours.
*Clare manager, Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill For the first time in his five year reign in charge of the Clare senior hurlers, Brian Lohan has a full hand to choose from, a fittingly opportune factor ahead of his biggest game as he leads out the Banner in Croke Park in Sunday’s All-Ireland decider against …
*Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill TONY KELLY is pushing for a place in the Clare starting team for Sunday’s Munster SHC final while David McInerney remains an injury doubt.
*Clare senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BRIAN Lohan has said it was “crucial” for Clare’s senior hurlers to respond with a win over Cork following their three point loss to Limerick.
*Clare’s Tony Kelly. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill TONY Kelly sustained a setback in Clare training prior to Sunday’s win over Cork which ruled him out of the matchday squad.
