Pat O'Connor pictured at the Burren ahead of Saturday's All Ireland SHC quarter-final against Waterford.
By Cian O’Connell
In a year like no other, Clare’s Championship response encourages Pat O’Connor.
Losing heavily to Limerick in Munster hurt deeply, but subsequent wins over Laois and Wexford ensure Clare enter Saturday’s All Ireland SHC quarter-final against Waterford armed with momentum.
Manager Brian Lohan’s role in Clare’s revival has been significant according to O’Connor, who remains a valuable contributor to the Banner cause.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed it anyway because I'm pushing on a bit and I see the dates of births now of some of the lads, '95, '97 they weren't around for it,” O’Connor says.
“I was a child of that era, and I suppose in the years when I was probably open to most influence it was Clare hurling that was the only show in town for us.
"And when you think of Clare hurling back in the day you think of Dalo (Anthony Daly), Seanie (Seanie McMahon) and Brian Lohan.
“You've seen the player he was and now the manager he is, he's just so comfortable and confident, you know if he picks you that he has total confidence in you, which results in you having confidence in yourself as well.”
Intrigue surrounded last weekend’s clash with Wexford with Lohan and Davy Fitzgerald patrolling the sideline.
Patrick O'Connor before Clare's 2019 Munster SHC clash against Limerick at Cusack Park.
“There was a rhetoric there going on between himself and Fitzy, it was totally to do with them,” O’Connor states.
“It wasn't our place to get in the middle of it, I don't know what happened, I don't know what has happened. It was between the two of them, it had nothing to do with the result or the build up for us really.”
The manner in which Clare have enjoyed a couple of stirring victories augurs well with O’Connor adamant that the team is developing.
“Definitely we are looking forward to the weekend,” O’Connor remarks. “Obviously we were bitterly disappointed after the Limerick game, but the one shining light was that we had something to refocus on the Tuesday we went back in.
“I've been involved in Championship campaigns where you could have five or six weeks to wait until your next game. It was back up on the horse straightaway, took what we could from the Limerick game into the Laois game.
“For spells in that game I thought we played very well, for spells we looked like what we are which is a team with a lot of new faces and players in new positions.
“We put ourselves in a good position, but probably hadn't the confidence to go to finish it off. That is what Saturday will bring, a reassurance that we are doing the right things, it is an upward curve. Hopefully we can continue it on Saturday.”
With a string of key performers unavailable due to injury and emigration, Clare have been forced to integrate emerging talent. “100%, Brian knew that coming in, that he needed to find depth in the panel,” O’Connor replies.
Clare players following an Allianz Hurling League win over Carlow in January.
“He wouldn't have liked to find himself in the situation being without four or five very influential players. It has given guys the room and space to develop, to find themselves, and to grow into the team.
“He has got his just reward for showing faith in those guys. He has now got five or six names that you guys wouldn't have heard of, but who are well equipped at inter-county level now which is very encouraging for the panel.”
Ultimately, the enduring brilliance of Tony Kelly has been a key factor for Clare in recent weeks with the Ballyea clubman rifling a total 1-45 in the Championship so far. O’Connor felt Kelly was ready to deliver such dynamic displays for Clare.
"To be honest I had because I knew the work he had put in and was putting in in lockdown,” O’Connor comments.
"He really, really, really put the shoulder to the wheel and I know he was onto strength and condition and to the skills coaches, just pointers where to get better and how to get better and the result of it is what you see now, just a guy with total confidence and conviction in what he's doing and I have to say he's bringing the team along with him and he's a super guy.
"I suppose me of all people would be indebted to Tony because I don't know if you recall but back in 2016 I made two significant blunders for two goals in the League final and he pulled us out that day as well.
"So I'll always be in debt to him and he's a super guy and super leader in the team, and hopefully more to come from him.”
O’Connor has done his bit for Clare throughout the past decade.
