DJ Carey has a shot blocked down by Michael O Halloran.
By Cian O’Connell
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It was the year in which Clare tormented and toppled the bluebloods. Cork, Tipperary, and Kilkenny were all conquered during a daring 1997 adventure. Clare’s second All Ireland title in three seasons brought particular satisfaction because the Banner had earned what they always craved: respect.
What made the 97 Championship especially interesting, though, was the new back door system. Beaten provincial finalists were given an opportunity of redemption at the All Ireland quarter-final stage. Clare had outfoxed Tipperary in the Munster decider, while in Leinster Wexford defeated Kilkenny.
Recovery missions were taking place. Tipp had too much class for Down in Clones on Saturday July 26, a day later DJ Carey inspired Kilkenny to a stirring comeback against Galway at Semple Stadium. Despite the Wexford loss Kilkenny ventured hopefully into Croke Park on August 10 for a clash with Clare.
Jamesie O’Connor, the 1997 Hurler of the Year, recalls the burning ambition that existed in the Clare panel. The breathless 1996 Munster Championship defeat to Limerick had to be cleansed from the system, only an All Ireland title would suffice. “We had been champions two years previously, but we really were just taking it all one game at a time,” O’Connor recalls when asked whether how important was the fact that Cork, Tipperary, and Kilkenny were bettered.
“The next obstacle was all that we were focused on at the time, it really was, we weren’t overly concerned about the tradition of the counties we were up against. Of course we were conscious of the players Kilkenny had, we knew it was going to be a formidable test.”
Carey provided a menacing and classy threat, but O’Connor was adamant that Clare were tuned in correctly for the Kilkenny tussle. “I remember the game when they beat Galway in Thurles, DJ was just phenomenal at the time, but we were focused on ourselves.
Ger Loughnane at Croke Park in August 1997.
“Mike Mac (Mike McNamara) had lived in Kilkenny for a while, he would have brought some of the mental toughness to our preparation at the time. The way we were was that we knew if we performed we could achieve things. It was always more about ourselves rather than thinking about who we were playing. We would always try to prepare accordingly.”
Kilkenny were resilient at GAA headquarters, but Clare were operating in a different realm that campaign. O’Connor rifled over nine points, while Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin clipped a vital goal. Not even Carey’s typically crafty 1-6 haul could disturb the Banner.
Echoing remarks made in Denis Walsh’s treasured Hurling: The Revolution Years book O’Connor acknowledged that the 1997 triumph was especially rewarding. “The second All Ireland I found was sweeter and more satisfying,” O’Connor said. “It proves you are worthy winners, that you aren’t just a one hit wonder.”
Three years ago Clare were reacquainted with Liam McCarthy. Claiming a second Celtic Cross is the aim for the majority of the Banner squad. “You are on the top on merit, you can be deemed a serious team,” O’Connor commented about earning further glory. “I’m sure the current panel feel the same, they are ambitious and hungry guys. You always want to be involved in the big days in Croke Park, hopefully they will get there again.
“Now they are that bit older, they have matured and experienced disappointment. Hopefully they will win more. There are parallels with the 2013 team. Maybe similar in ways to the team in 1995 guys were fairly young getting their first All Ireland medal. They got momentum, before they knew it or even realised it, they were in an All Ireland final.” Getting back to that grand stage remains Clare’s objective.