Clare colossus Lohan ready for Waterford challenge

IS THIS the greatest era ever for full-backs?

There is Kilkenny's Noel Hickey, Tipp's Phillip Maher, Cork's Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Wexford's Darragh Ryan, Limerick's TJ Ryan, the emerging Diarmuid Cloonan of Galway and Tom Feeney of Waterford.

But the king of them all by reason of longevity and consistent brilliance is Clare's Brian Lohan, a colossus in front of goal for almost a decade.

A fearsome figure in full flight, the red-helmeted crowd-lifting burst out of defence, forwards being scattered left and right, is one of the most captivating sights in modern hurling.

There are those who believe the inspirational Clare captain sometimes strays beyond the hard edge, but one who should know better than most, one who has had many a tussle with Lohan, Limerick full-forward Brian Begley, begs to differ.

"Full-back is a vital position, as important as centre-back, on any team. You're in the middle of the last line of defence, 'they-shall-not-pass' kind of mentality.

"You have to build a reputation for yourself as someone who shouldn't be messed with, a hard player, a tough player.

"Now I've never played championship against Brian Lohan, but I have played a few league games, and I would never describe him as a dirty player in fact, the opposite.

"He's an honest player, a very good hurler; won't talk to you during the game, but he never drew a dirty belt against me. But he is hard, they all are in that position."

So it is not a good time to be a full-forward?

"You can say that again," Begley laughs, "and any day you get a couple of scores off those boys, any of them, you'll earn it. Tough men, all of them, and very good hurlers."

Already this year, Justin McCarthy's Waterford side has faced two of the big names O'Sullivan of Cork and Maher of Tipperary and each time, even though they didn't quite manage to fully subdue the big men, they did enough to get around them.

A master tactician, a man who thinks deeply about the game, McCarthy will again be doing work on the drawing-board for this Sunday's edge-of-the-square challenge in Croke Park.

Brian Lohan wouldn't expect anything less, from one of the most successful coaches in hurling.

He says: "I never trained under him, but I've heard of his work, and read of it. The biggest thing he's brought to Waterford is belief.

"This year, there was no doubt in their minds they were going to win the Munster final.

"Even though Tipperary battled well, Waterford were always with them, and that belief then carried them through in the second half. Mentally and physically, we know this is going to be very tough."

McCarthy has a habit not just of finding and exploiting an opponent's weaknesses, but also of taking on their strengths.

The game plan is this beat them where they're strongest, and you establish a huge psychological advantage so critical in the modern game.

Lohan, however, is un-phased: "You have to expect that with everyone you play against nowadays.

"Every team is analysed, taken apart beforehand. I don't know what they're thinking, you have to be prepared for anything.

"It just means it's going to be a 20-man game the next day, it's going to be tough for everyone."

One possible area for exploitation for Waterford will be down the flanks, using the speed of the two corners, Mullane and Eoin McGrath, on the wide spaces of Croke Park.

Lohan admits it is a possible ploy but one he believes is unlikely to work.

Brother Frank, in the left corner, isn't exactly a slouch, while in the other Brian Quinn is one of the unsung heroes in the Clare defence.

Lohan says: "Since Brian came into this team in 98. I don't think he's played a bad game and he's been outstanding on a number of occasions. He hurls exceptionally well and does like going to Croke Park."

As for those new open spaces, well: "We train all the time in Cusack Park, and that's about the same width as the new pitch in Croke Park.

"There was a lot of talk about how wide it was, from the football commentators, but I didn't notice it, though there was a definite change alright. But all that's happened is that it is now about the same size as any other hurling field, like Thurles or Cusack Park."

Whatever the dimensions, the hunger is still very evident in Brian Lohan. On-field or off-field, the aura is there, Keane-like intensity. "I don't like to see Brian Lohan smiling," says former selector Tony Considine, "when he has that scowl around him, you know he's ready". He's ready.

"We were beginning to feel we'd never win a big game again, we'd lost so many in a row," he says, explaining the uncharacteristic show of emotion after the Galway game. "It was great to win a game against traditionally strong counties. To beat Wexford, then beat Galway, was very important to us, and that showed in our reaction. We'll see now how we get on the next day."