*Adam Hogan embraces David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
HE’S THE NEW kid on the block in the Clare senior hurling team and Adam Hogan is itching to have more days like Saturday when they ended Limerick’s seventeen game unbeaten run in championship.
Hogan made his championship debut in Clare’s five point loss to Tipperary, he picked up a yellow card early in that tie and was substituted early in the second half. He bounced back with a bang like the rest of his teammates as the Banner County brought themselves firmly into the battle to qualify from the Munster championship.
Special occasions at TUS Gaelic Grounds are nothing new to Adam. “I love this place. The Gaelic Grounds has and will always have a special place in my heart. I won a Harty Cup here. Beating Limerick in here is normal for me,” he laughed.
“Seriously though Limerick had a bit of a monkey on our backs but we hold no fear. There is nothing to be afraid of and by God did we deliver out there. Look it we played well in patches against Tipperary but mistakes cost us. We knew coming here we could win. We came together as a group, management and players. We knew we were better than Limerick. There’s nothing to be afraid of. We just had to come and perform and we surely did”.
Feakle’s Hogan admitted that the physicality of the tie was a bit of an eye-opener. “To be honest I’ve never experienced anything like it. The hits were incredible. Those Limerick boys are big but that doesn’t bother us. It’s my first real senior campaign and I want more days like this. The atmosphere was electric and look at all these Clare people with smiles on their faces. It’s a special evening”.
Missing out for Clare’s U20s has been difficult for Adam who was appointed as their captain by Terence Fahy. Having played two senior games within six days, he outlined, “It’s a big ask but I’m young. Not playing for the 20s upsets me. I don’t agree with that rule. I am captain of that team but what I can do. You can’t say no to playing senior. Representing your county is what it’s all about. Getting up at 6am and going to the gym, putting in all that hard work. It’s so tough but it’s so worth it when you see what it means to Clare people. Look around at all these happy faces. It’s why we play hurling”.
There’s a smile etched across the Mary Immaculate College student’s face as he resumes signing hurleys, jerseys, match programmes and whatever else is thrown his direction. The result has given a lift and he’s determined that they back it up in two weeks. “We have to back this up now in two weeks. You can see how happy everyone is. It’s a special field, a special place, a special evening. We need to repeat this. It’s all about championship. It’s all about making Clare people proud”.
