*Adam Hogan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s tigerish defender Adam Hogan has said the fight within their panel ensures they never give up.
Young Hurler of the Year, Hogan delivered another stirring display in saffron and blue on Sunday as Clare’s hurlers came from twelve points down at half-time to secure an opening round draw with Cork in the Munster SHC.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Feakle defender reflected on Clare’s memorable comeback. “There is always hope. Last year in Páirc Uí Chaoimh we were eight points down at half time but in the second half we came back and won it, It shows the fight in the group, we never give up. I am happy with a draw given where we were at half time”.
He believed Clare reigned supreme when it came to winning puckouts in the second half. “We knew we were better that what we showed in the first half when we didn’t play to our potential. We had to work the ball up, we had the wnnd but we had to work through the lines. We dominated the puckouts in the second half and that was a great platform for us to get the scores”.
A blistering start to the second half where Clare notched 2-1 without reply “lifted the team. We needed a bit of a confidence booster but they came back and got on top again but by God we came back and kept fighting and in the last ten minutes I don’t think they won a puckout”.
Hogan stressed that Clare need to improve as their fight in the competitive provincial round robin kicks on. “We have a lot of work ahead of next week. We have to right the wrongs from today. In the first game it’s crucial to get a bit of momentum, Waterford will be a savage challenge, it will be a hostile environment. We know how good they are. They showed great form against Offaly in their recent league final win. We will have to bring out A game and show a 10% improvement to get a result down there. Hopefully we can do that”.
“We will look during the week to see where we can improve and we will look at Waterford’s game. It’s sit down, feet up now and relax after today,” Hogan said shortly before leaving Zimmer Biomet Páirc Cíosóg.
