Séamus Durack and Jackie O’Gorman were key men on the Clare team that won National Hurling League titles in 1977 and ‘78 but lost two Munster finals to Cork the same years. Forty years on, they have no regrets about the time of their lives, O’Gorman anyway. Though Durack still revisits a couple of refereeing decisions in ‘77.

“When the game was over, Loughnane slumped to the ground in frustration, and as he thumped his hurley off the turf, one could imagine his feelings and those of the many other Clare people in the ground. It was a sad setback for a hopeful team and one that may take some time to get over”