Down but not out as Banner go back to drawing board

DOWN, but not out! That was how Brian Lohan summed up the attitude of the Clare hurlers after their Munster SHC semi-final defeat to the All-Ireland champions in Thurles yesterday.

The outcome didn’t surprise him, given the manner in which Cork gained control so effectively because of their strength in defence.

But what did perplex him was how Clare lost ground so quickly.

“When we went that bit behind, maybe we stopped what we were good at — stopped what we had been dong in the first half.

“Their half-back line is so strong that it’s very hard to get the ball beyond them.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what went wrong. We should have learned our lessons from last year. But we didn’t.”

Lohan said he couldn’t explain why the game had turned the way it did, or how Cork had been able to hit “so many scores without reply”.

He agreed it was always going to be harder for the Banner facing into the wind in the second half.

“Their half-back line is exceptionally strong. It meant that every puck-put was going to be dropping down there. You either have to drop the ball short or try and get it beyond them, to get them going backwards.

“Because when they are facing the ball they are very good.”

The form of Joe Deane, widely praised for his outstanding display, didn’t surprise him.

“Joe has caused difficulties for defences for a number of years. And, he played very well again today.”

Looking ahead, Lohan is optimistic that Clare can pick it up again.

“It’s only May. The real serious stuff starts in August.”