“You live from match to match”

CYRIL Lyons laughs that if he knew in advance what managing the Clare hurling team would be like — what replacing Ger Loughnane at a stage when it was likely the team would be entering ‘a valley period’ might entail — he might not have accepted the job.

That all happened the night Loughnane opted out at the end of the 2000 season. Seven years after sharing in the county's memorable All-Ireland renaissance as a late sub, Lyons is proud to be leading his team back to Croke Park.

Principal teacher of Ruan national school, he's very different to Loughane quietly spoken, shy by comparison, even reserved. While remaining media-friendly, his natural preference would be to stay out of the limelight. But what matters is he commands the respect of the players and, now that the team has got back to an All-Ireland final, the admiration of supporters.