Christy O'Connor: Young talent on show in county final a reflection of Clare’s exciting future 

Over the last six years, no manager has given league and championship game time to more players than Clare boss Brian Lohan. 

Jerry O'Connor is one of the six players from the Clooney/Quin and Éire Óg squads, who contest this weekend's Clare SHC final, to play for the Banner minors in last year's All-Ireland semi-final. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

After the first round of the Clare club championship last year, Anthony Daly ran into Kieran McDermott. When the conversation naturally turned towards hurling, McDermott got talking about data, throwing some impressive figures in Daly’s direction, informing him how 108 players from the U14 development squads of 2019 and 2020 had played adult hurling with their clubs that weekend.

Those numbers showcase an outstanding retention level within the wider pathway system, but they also have a knock on cumulative effect by making the Clare club championship stronger and, ultimately, the county team even better.