Clare's Tony Kelly in the parade before the All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final against Kilkenny at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
"The appreciation of how hard it is, that's the biggest thing I've learned from 2013 'til now," Tony Kelly says about returning to an All-Ireland SHC Final with Clare.
Kelly was part of an exciting crop of emerging Clare hurlers, who celebrated national glory at senior and U21 level. The Ballyea clubman acknowledges how the game has altered throughout the past decade. "For us, back then, everything was rolling into one," Kelly recalls.
"We came through minor having had a good minor team. Then two U21s, won the senior All-Ireland. There was maybe 11 or 12 of us on it. Probably the biggest difference between then and now is how the game has changed. Hurling back then, it was probably a lot simpler.
"In terms of the training, it was probably more. Load management is a massive thing now. S&C is huge now. It was there then, but it is gone to another level, another dimension, now.
"The way the game was played back then, a lot of it was up and down the field. Getting the ball and driving it 70 to 80 yards. Whereas now, it's all about looking after the ball. And if you're not looking after the ball you'll find yourself five, six, seven points down within six or seven minutes.
Tony Kelly with the Liam MacCarthy Cup following Clare's 2013 All-Ireland triumph. Photo by: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"So, the game has definitely changed. I think there's seven of us still there from that 2013 panel so you can draw on that experience in the lead up and the build up which is important."
Kelly, though, highlights the enjoyment aspect of playing sport at such a high level. "You have to enjoy it, if you’re not enjoying it, you’re probably wasting your time and your family’s time as well," he says.
"You've to really enjoy it. Even was it Hoggie after their round-robin game he was discussing how much he enjoys it and I think every hurler can relate to that: the enjoyment piece.
"That most people start out playing hurling and when you get to this level, one of the differences between 2013 and now is the enjoyment level has probably increased to what it was back then."
How so? "I think the way the championship is structured now in terms of the round-robin, the home games especially. They bring a different element to the championship.
"Back then you were going to Thurles and if you had 15,000 turn up to Thurles for a Munster quarter-final you were doing well. It’s that enjoyment element to it. From a players perspective, it’s really good."
Tony Kelly celebrates following a late Clare point against Kilkenny. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Clare have encountered setbacks, but an ability to respond to defeats has been evident, especially recently in the Brian Lohan era. "Obviously if you’re looking back over that 11-year period you’ve years - in '14 you don’t get out of a qualifier," Kelly says.
"Same again in '15, you don’t get out of a qualifier, Cork beat you. In '16 you win the league and you think you’re on the right track, you’re dumped out by Galway in a q-final.
"So, you have setbacks along the way. ’18 then we thought we were probably the closest we had been since '13 when Galway beat us in that replay. Then Brian has come in.
"I think the biggest thing that Brian has brought to us is a level of consistency in terms of being a challenger in Munster, a challenger in the last four and then having got over that hurdle and got to an All Ireland final, that is the biggest thing he brought."
Lohan's spirit matters deeply according to Kelly, who is relishing the opportunity to lead Clare out against Cork at GAA headquarters on Sunday. "He probably has that thing over the players, how will I put it, the minute he walks in the door he has your attention because of who he is in terms of who he was for Clare," Kelly remarks.
"Outside of the whole what he has done putting together a backroom team, a panel of players, it’s hard to describe it; he’s been there and done it. And when he’s one of your own that you’ve probably looked up to, you’d probably do anything, in terms of you believe in what he says to you."
