Carrot of Munster final run revives Clohessy

The focus of the Gaelic football community was trained on Croke Park that Sunday in mid-April but a short distance south from those Division 1 league semi-finals was a game of huge significance irrespective of the lower grade.

When you occupy a rung in Division 4, the need to climb the ladder and escape becomes all the greater. In Aughrim that afternoon, Wicklow had three points to spare at the final whistle and their celebrations were matched by desolation in the Clare camp.

Defeat consigned the Banner to another spring at basement level.

“It felt like a championship defeat,” revealed Clare forward Alan Clohessy.

“We were hugely disappointed. Lads had given it everything when we went down a man. We showed real character but we just couldn’t do it. The sight we set from game one was promotion.

“In that fourth division, it seems like every game is a must-win and we’d tough wins over Waterford, Limerick and Carlow. We looked to be heading in the right direction but we let it slip out of our hands in the last few minutes below in Aughrim.”

The players returned to the sanctuary of their clubs to take stock and gear up for the summer ahead. It did not take long for a clear picture to emerge. The league had still generated positives and Clohessy admitted it was impossible to get away from the glorious opportunity the championship draw turned up.

Victory on Saturday against Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds will ensure they qualify for the county’s first Munster senior football final in 12 years and two decades after that famed football summer of 1992.

“Lads were enthusiastic coming back to it this year,” he said. “It definitely helped. It’s one game and you’re in a Munster final, so it’s a great opportunity. The other side of the draw is stronger and we know the teams on our side fairly well having met them in league and championship.

“The other sides were saying that to themselves how there could be a Munster final at the end of it.

“We’d some important league wins. Limerick was a monkey off our back because we’d struggled against them for a few years. We had to fight hard for that win. The Carlow victory was very important as well because it looked for a long time like we wouldn’t win that game until Michael O’Shea popped up with a few vital scores.

“We took a break after the Wicklow game and lads had got a bit of football back in the system again through their clubs when we came back.

“It’s been good that we gave lads a chance to freshen up again. Championship is why we play and the league is a bonus.”

Clare’s squad has been embellished over the past two years by their exploitation of the parentage rule that aims to provide players to weaker counties. Shane McGrath (Dublin) and Niall Browne (Kildare) have both proven valuable additions, according to Clohessy.

“Shane and Niall have had a massive input,” said the Liscannor man. “Browner is a great character and Shane has slotted in brilliantly then. Shane’s father was a real stalwart of Clare football as well. There’s a bit more slagging for them in the dressing room. But they’re definitely settled into it as Clare footballers.”

Clohessy’s sporting endeavours are not just restricted to football. He dabbles in golf, playing off a 14 handicap, and in his day job is concerned with the upkeep of the course in Lahinch.

“I work as a greenkeeper and have been doing it straight out of school. As soon as you mention the course to anybody, they know of it and it is one of the big names in Irish golf.

“Americans especially love to play it and Ballybunion as well. The last two years have been okay business wise after 2008 was a bit slow.

“But it’s picked up. This year has been really busy with a lot of American and European visitors. We have the benefit of the tradition behind us.

“If golfers come to the country and can only play a few course in a week, they pick us and we benefit from that. The golf industry as a whole is struggling with the expense of it but we’re stable enough.

“The South of Ireland is the busy week for us when it’s held on July. It’s a tough week. A lot of 5am morning starts and a lot of evening work. It clashes but sure it’s only one week in the year. Hopefully we’ll have a Munster final played by that stage.”