O’Connell taking it all in his stride

IT’S been a long year for Clare hurling, but no-one is complaining, certainly not Brian O’Connell.

O’Connell, at midfield on the Clare team that gave eventual champions Cork the fright of their lives in the All-Ireland semi-final, lines out with Wolfe Tones in tomorrow’s SHC final against Clarecastle at Cusack Park.

Though this was his first year as a county regular, he was never overawed by the occasion, on or off the field.