McDonagh: Clare reaping what they’ve sown

Clare County Board chairman Michael McDonagh believes the Banner are in the throes of a golden spell, with Wednesday night’s U21 provincial success adding further lustre.

McDonagh hailed the efforts of the U21-winning outfit and with an All-Ireland senior semi-final looming, McDonagh says these are hugely exciting times for Clare hurling.

“It is something you could only dream of,” beamed McDonagh.

“It has been absolutely brilliant. I was there as chairman from 2003 to 2007, we lost three quarter-finals and a semi-final at senior level, but to win silverware and all these young lads coming through, they are great to watch, we can sit back and enjoy it.

“To see them win a Munster U21 title was absolutely fantastic. The work put in by the management and that put in by Davy Fitzgerald as well has been second to none.

“The U21s are training full-time with the senior players and that gives them the extra edge. It has really sharpened them when they come to play at U21 level. These lads know nothing but intensity. That’s the way they have been taught and I would hope that is the way it continues.”

The relatively comfortable win over Tipperary — not reflected in the 1-17 to 2-10 scoreline — was the Banner’s third Munster title since their maiden success in 2009, accentuated by the two All-Ireland U21 triumphs and two Munster minor wins annexed in the same period.

This recent haul of silverware, according to the chairman, is born out of strong investment at underage level since the turn of the millennium.

“A group of people, led by Sean O’Halloran, who was chairman of Bord na nÓg, put a lot of this in place so the plaudits have to go to Sean and his group of people. “That [Bord na nÓg] came into place around the 2000 mark and they have been working on it since. We are now reaping the rewards. A lot of this success has to go to them. Hopefully now it will continue onto Sunday week.”

McDonagh revealed there were no injuries to report following the game, which should be the perfect tee-up to the All-Ireland semi-final clash with Limerick.

Indeed, given so many of the standout contributors from Thurles will be present in Croke Park, hopes are high that a first September decider since 2002 can be reached.

“The players have had to adapt and have shown great maturity because they are training with the U21’s, training with the seniors and playing matches with the seniors and then coming back to the U21’s and have to adapt again, and they have done it week in, week out. They are as good as there is in the country right now.

“The most important thing is that everyone of them came out injury free. That is number one. Hopefully they will be fresh for Sunday week. It will be a massive game. Limerick are an excellent team with excellent hurlers and are going in as overwhelming favourites.

“Wednesday was a major fixture, it was a Munster final. You just hope that we can do the same Sunday week.

“The U21 lads have eight days to prepare and that is going to be very hard, but they are fit. The programme put in place by senior trainer Joe O’Connor and U21 trainer Paul Kinnerk is unbelievable and I think there is more in the tank. I think the plan that was put in place at the start of the year and the way they have been managed, it has been unbelievable.”