Clare's Conor Cleary celebrates after the All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final win over Kilkenny at Croke Park. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
Eleven years on, Clare are back in an All-Ireland SHC Final against Cork.
That sultry Saturday evening replay success in 2013 is etched in Conor Cleary's mind. In the Upper Tier of the Hogan Stand Cleary watched the drama unfold as Shane O'Donnell netted three goals to seal a satisfying success. "My main memory was after the game being absolutely delighted because I would’ve been on development squads with him at 14, 15, 16, and if that was to happen to anyone you could meet, it couldn’t happen to a more grounded, humble fella," Cleary says.
"I was delighted for everybody. I would’ve been in secondary school with Tony (Kelly) and them lads as well. It did light a fire under a lot of lads to push to get onto the panel and come through to play hurling."
In the intervening decade Cleary has soldiered for the Clare cause. Narrow Munster final defeats in recent years hurt, but Cleary has a sense of perspective too. "They are very disappointing because you are building towards them days," he says.
"Before ’22, we hadn’t played in a Munster final since ’18. In ’19, ’20, and ’21, you’re thinking will you play in those games again? To get back there was brilliant, but not to get over the line then.
"A lot of it was the attitude the management had towards it. There was never a feeling that we’ve got to a final and that’s it or we’ve lost a final and that’s it. There was always, we’re back here in October or November time going for it again."
Staying determined and defiant is crucial according to Cleary. "It was that kind of mindset for myself personally that they brought, saying that we have to get up to the level," he adds.
"We weren’t good enough last year, we have to go again. If we lost a game, right, how did we lose it and go again. That was effective throughout the team as well.
"It helped in ’22 and ’23 that there was a bit more maturity there in the team. In ’17 and ’18, a lot of us were young and at the start of our careers, but in ’22 and ’23, you know you’ve to be making the years count."
That is part of the process under Brian Lohan. Players must be ready, willing, and able to improve. "I suppose initially in Brian’s term, we had some fairly poor games and poor losses from player performances, but his big thing was always to get better every time," Cleary says.
"Every session we went to was about getting better and getting better. Coming back from them Munster final losses, the whole thing was we have a chance, we’re not out of the competition, and just to keep getting better."
Responding to setbacks has been a central part of the Clare story under Lohan. "That’s really what he’s driven within the group," Cleary remarks.
"Even in the off-season, it’s always about working on your own game. Be it S&C, your hurling, or your fitness, it’s about getting better.
"We never saw any of them games as a final destination. Especially after the Munster finals, we knew that you’ve another chance and we always have the mindset that if we can get better, we can compete at the top table."
