Clare’s ‘old man’ proud of kids

Clare captain Pat Donnellan has a lot to answer for. Brendan Bugler too. But for the 28-year-olds, this Clare team’s average age would be lower than an already decidedly youthful 23.

The captain’s fellow half-back is a few months older than him as, is substitute Fergal Lynch, but that hasn’t stopped his younger team-mates from dubbing him the grand old duke of the side.

Bugler and himself are the anomalies in one of the greenest sides ever to compete in an All-Ireland final. Donnellan won’t attempt to hide that fact.