By Cian O'Connell

For Shane O'Donnell there is still joy in the journey. More than a decade on the inter-county beat with Clare, the past couple of years have brought plenty of memories.

A connection between the Banner team and supporters has been re-established. Under Brian Lohan's shrewd stewardship Clare are relevant again.

O'Donnell, who was honoured with a Gaelic Writers' Association Hurling Personality of the Year, in association with EirGrid award last night, is relishing the adventure.

"Absolutely, and we can reflect on it as well internally that the last couple of years have been so enjoyable," O'Donnell says. "I've had a couple of kind of long conversations with John Conlon about it where they've just been so enjoyable.

"Brian and his management team have really kind of facilitated and kind of fostered a brilliant group there and the attitude is really good.

The link between emerging and established hurlers matters too according to O'Donnell. "There's a great bond and some great young lads as well," he adds. "So there is everything that you kind of want there and we have been involved in a couple of really great games.

"Obviously without the silverware, it's tough to look back on them very fondly and there's always that tinge of disappointment when you do discuss them, but we have put ourselves in a position to compete for those kind of those titles. Yeah, it's been fairly enjoyable. It is just missing that silverware."

Several players have been involved with Clare for the majority of O'Donnell's time on the panel. "There's a really strong band there," O'Donnell explains.

"It's kind of at a stage now where I think we're all staying with this each year, we're all staying with it. But when one or two of them start to drift away, then I think the entire group will reconsider whether they're going to be involved, kind of thing.

"There's a fantastic bond between them and I think in the last few years, especially since Covid that's really come out and we've taken massive ownership I think actually, of the team over the last couple of years."

During that spell O'Donnell has been a key figure for Clare, as a score taker and creator. "Definitely I've been enjoying it massively along with everybody, but it definitely has evolved quite a lot," O'Donnell says.

"I've got a lot more confident in my shooting, which was kind of something that I only realised when looking back on it, held me back a lot.

"I really never decided to take shots on. I was always looking to take someone on or to pass the ball and I think that limited my play a lot. The other side of it is that in the last few years I've put on quite a lot of weight and I found that, that's made a huge difference actually on the pitch.

"It just feels like I'm able to get past people or get out in front of people or just get through, basically get through people when needed in a way that I was never able to before.

"So, I think a combination of just the confidence to actually take shots on as well as that like added weight has really kind of facilitated that change."

Reasons for optimism exist, talented young players such as Adam Hogan and Mark Rodgers are beginning to deliver for Clare again too. "I think it's right in saying we're building a very nice trajectory," O'Donnell responds.

"We've kind of mentioned a few times now about that senior group, but there's also a brilliant group another group of players in that kind of younger (age) around 20 to 22.

"And the two lads for young player of the year, they are a great example, but there's a number of others that are in that kind of group that are vying for getting onto the pitch.

"I think maybe that's what has maybe been missing at some years over the last years of just having a couple of really good young players who are pushing lads on the team to fight for their positions.

"And we certainly had that the last couple of years and I think we're the same again coming next year.

"So, that does really put pressure on the players that are on the pitch to keep their jerseys, really puts pressure on everybody to step up their game basically and I think that's what's made the difference over the last couple years."

O'Donnell still craves success. "I do think the trajectory is still one step more next year and obviously, what we'll be aiming for is bringing in silverware, whether it be a Munster final or an All-Ireland final," he remarks.

"It is about getting silverware, obviously, like the elephant in the room is that Limerick are going for something that's never been done before. They're going to be more motivated than any team could possibly be.

"So it's obviously having to compete against that, but we're looking forward to the challenge."