eir ambassador and hurler John Conlon of Clare, pictured at the launch of the third annual ‘eir for all’ Poc Tapa Challenge, which invites GAA clubs across Ireland to compete for €5,000 and the opportunity to play at Croke Park during All-Ireland Semi-Final Day. eir has been a proud partner of the GAA since 2011, with eir Wide-Fi powered by WiFi 7 giving fans lightning-fast streaming on GAA+, ultra-low latency for live matches, and reliable connectivity throughout their home. For further information on how to enter follow @eir.ireland or visit eir.ie. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
John Conlon has spent a decade and a half hurling for Clare. So, the Clonlara clubman knows that things can alter briskly.
Two All-Ireland medals have brought significant joy. Tough defeats and injuries have been endured too, but Conlon’s passion and perseverance always matters.
Sunday’s eagerly anticipated provincial opener between Clare and Cork in Ennis will launch the 2025 Munster Championship. "A Munster medal matters to everyone that plays hurling in Munster, it is such a fantastic competition,” Conlon says.
“Since I was a young lad, the two days you loved were a Munster final and an All-Ireland final. We've been lucky and unlucky to be in five Munster finals, to lose them all, we have had a few good opportunities to get over the line and we just didn’t.
“At the end of the day, it is All-Ireland medals you want in your pocket, but if you could win a Munster, especially for Clare people, because we haven't done it in a long time. It would be a massive medal to win this year, but if you are given the option of a Munster or All-Ireland, you are picking an All-Ireland every day."
Clare’s competitiveness under Brian Lohan is something that Conlon acknowledges. Lohan’s zeal as a player inspired a generation, but his ability to delegate as manager is key according to Conlon. “The way Brian was as a player, when I was a young lad, and I'm a lot older than lads within the group, but I'd have seen the '95 and '97 team, and Brian as a player back then, all the way until the 2000s,” Conlon reflects.
John Conlon and Peter Duggan celebrate following the 2024 All-Ireland SHC Final at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
“He was such a dog of a man and a fantastic full-back. Anyone that came in there, there was no prisoner taken. He brings that across in management as well.
“He is ruthless, but really caring at the same time. We know, as players, that he would do anything for us. He has done super stuff behind the scenes in Clare hurling and within the group. We love playing for him.
“Also, he has put a lot responsibility on us as players, especially the older group, to really take the team by the scruff of the neck, to bring resilience and that attitude of wanting to be as good as we can be on the field for Clare hurling and for us as players.”
Having given such distinguished service to Clare, why does Conlon keep coming back for more? “It’s that feeling of running out into a packed Cusack Park, it gives you goosebumps,” Conlon explains. “For example, the day we played Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds against Limerick in 2023 in the Munster final.
"I know we lost on the same day, but I always say it was probably one of the best occasions I have ever been involved in. I have never seen the motorway so packed and us coming up the inside shoulder. The excitement around the place. The sun was splitting the rocks.
"My own home place is only 10 minutes away. We nearly have to pass the Gaelic Grounds to go to Ennis. Those moments in inter-county hurling, you get great moments with the club, but you don't get the same 40,000 or 50,000 people roaring in for blood from the opposition, that tribal mentality in inter-county hurling. It is dog eat dog, you've to be ready for the challenge.
John Conlon celebrates following Clare's 2024 All-Ireland SHC Final win over Cork at Croke Park. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile
“That’s why I keep coming back, for that excitement. The body keeps ticking and it can keep going to get to those levels. When the body gives up or the mind isn't there anymore it will be time to give.”
Conlon is happy to assist others. Advice is always available with Conlon, as part of the backroom team, helping Loughrea secure Galway SHC glory last year. “That is the way I would've been always, within any set-up I've been in, how can I help others out?,” Conlon says.
“I always remember my first year as a Clare panellist, Tony Griffin coming up to me, helping me out in the gym, showing me little things like that. I can do that for any Clare player or Clonlara player in my club, help them out, give them little pointers which I was told at 18, 19 or 20.
“That is why we're here, we're here to give back to our own clubs and other clubs, to make sure the games of hurling and camogie can be as good as they can be.
“If I can help out in any way like that, I really enjoying coaching, helping out teams, I've seen others succeed. It is probably something for down the line, not for now anyway.”
The next few months will be busy with Clare. Conlon wouldn’t want it any other way.
