Lohan pleased with attitude of new-look Clare in league opener

*David Conroy was one of the Clare players to impress. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Kilkenny’s display in the second quarter played a key part in the Noresiders’ victory over Clare at Cusack Park on Sunday, according to Clare manager Brian Lohan.

“They took over a bit in the second quarter and outscored us eight to three, which gave them a bit of momentum, and with the quality they had on the field, it was always going to be a bit difficult for us,” Lohan said shortly after the final whistle.

That said, he added, “I thought we put in a good effort. This was a good opportunity for our lads, and we were a little bit unlucky at the end,” he added.

According to the Clare boss, who led the team to championship and league honours last year, “we have a big panel, we are carrying forty-five at the moment, we have 15/16 with injuries, and we have nine in the Fitzgibbon Cup. Our resources are stretched, we have a big panel, and that’s the reason for it.”

Asked about the absence of the pre-season tournaments this year, the double All-Ireland winner said, “I used to love those, they were great for lads playing in a relatively big game up against a good opponent. Look, it is what it is. We had an experimental line-up today which caught us a little bit at the end. We are happy with it but would have been happier if we got the result.”

Continuing, he said, “With the nature of inter-county hurling now, everybody wants to play. We have a panel of over 40, all of whom want to play. These matches are big games for all of those guys, and it’s crucial you give guys game time. Nobody wants to be going through a full year and not being given time to show what they can do.”

Asked about a likely return-to-playing date for those on the injured list at this time, he said, “The lads are working with the physios and trying to get back. We hope they will get stronger as the league progresses.”

Concluding, he said, “Overall, we are pleased. The lads showed a great attitude. The question coming into this game was whether we were going to have that attitude, and we did. We are happy with that, but we would have been happier if we got the result, but it wasn’t to be.”