Mark Rodgers enjoying Clare adventure

Click here to listen to the interview with Clare senior hurler Mark Rodgers.

By Cian O'Connell

"I don't think you realise how important it is until you lose it," Clare's Mark Rodgers say about the relevance of momentum in sport.

"Then, it can be very hard to turn that wheel. So, while you have it, you want to keep winning, really. That is the aim of the game."

The early months of 2026 have provided encouragement for Brian Lohan's outfit, who contest the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B Final against Dublin at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Six victories have been registered with emerging players contributing to the Clare cause. "We've done well up until this point, we've got results every day we've went out, and Sunday is another big day for us," Rodgers remarks.

The fact that a new wave of talent is being developed bodes well. "It definitely has been one of the big positives of the league for us, we've had the opportunity to play a lot of different players, and they've played considerable game time, too," Rodgers adds.

"Again, on Sunday, I'm sure a lot of those guys will feature. It has been a brilliant league campaign, that way, for us."

Following a disappointing 2025 was an increased focus placed on this league campaign? "The league is a brilliant opportunity to set yourself up for success in the championship," Rodgers replies.

"Last year, we didn't get the results early on in the league, and we were chasing our tail, really. This year, we went after a lot of those fixtures early in the league, and we got results. It is hard to beat winning."

Scariff clubman Rodgers isn't dwelling on last year with a league final and a busy Munster Championship imminent. "You can go back and make lots of excuses, but there is no point, it is in the past," Rodgers says.

"The only thing you can do now is go forward. We've the final on Sunday and we've a quick turnaround to Waterford, which is brilliant. We will know a lot about ourselves, then, in a couple of weeks time.

"The Munster Championship is where you want to be as a Clare hurler, to have that just around the corner, you're looking forward to it, and that is the position we're in."

Rodgers relishes being involved with Clare. "It is a great group to be a part of, the players are brilliant, they're great leaders," Rodgers says.

"Then, there has been a lot of continuity in the backroom team with the management. Brian has been there since I came in at the start and it is great.

"It doesn't feel stale, it feels very fresh. I think we're building momentum at a good time."

Lohan's passion for Clare endures. "Of course, that is evident to anyone that is up close in the set-up or within the county really," Rodgers remarks. "He lives it and it carries itself on to the field, at times."

During his senior inter-county career, Clare have remained resilient. That matters deeply. "It is something we probably pride ourselves on," Rodgers responds.

"We don't ever die really, we don't give in, we think we don't. It isn't always easy. We've suffered some terrible losses over the years, but we've had some great victories, too.

"All we can really do is go back to the hard work that we put in, that is what we use as our bedrock. Going into this Championship, it will be the same.

Right now, though, there is promise in the air. "That can change quickly, momentum is fickle in that sense," Rodgers says.

"We've to keep getting those results, keep playing well, keep building our panel because injuries will happen, different things, suspensions or whatever. So, we need a lot of players available and we want to be ready to go."