Kelly: Davy will keep our feet on the ground

Clare star Tony Kelly has backed manager Davy Fitzgerald to keep a lid on the hype that has swept through the county following September’s stunning All-Ireland senior hurling championship success.

Kelly and a host of team-mates who stormed through from the underage ranks have found themselves under intense media scrutiny since claiming the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Kelly, 19, was honoured on the treble Friday evening when he collected the Young Hurler and Hurler of the Year awards, along with a coveted All Star.

While Kelly, pictured, conceded that being recognised for Clare’s remarkable exploits “is not a bad complaint to have,” he’s confident the players will soon return to the serious business of preparing for the 2014 campaign.

Kelly was back in club colours on Sunday as Ballyea beat O’Callaghan’s Mills in the senior B final, to ensure senior A hurling next year.

And speaking to Clare FM yesterday, he laughed: “I don’t have the same problem as Mr O’Donnell (Shane) has, but, no, it’s grand.

“With Davy in charge, there will be no fear of any of the U21s on the senior panel.

“He’ll make sure that we’re right back down to business. (But) it’s something that you have to enjoy and relish.

“This isn’t heard of in Clare hugely. It can get to some people but with Davy, Mike (Deegan), Louis (Mulqueen) and Paul (Kinnerk) in charge, it won’t be a problem with any of us.”

Kelly also starred on the Clare U21 team that cruised to Bord Gáis Energy U21 glory, ensuring a very first U21 and senior All-Ireland double for the Banner men.

And with further success anticipated over the next few years, Kelly insisted: “It’s all about managing it. It’s very easy for us players because we’re so well looked after in the senior set-up. Anything we want or are in trouble with, it’s sorted out, be it college, work or anything like that. We can have no complaints on that side of things.”

Limerick IT student Kelly also insisted that he was stunned to walk away with three awards from Croke Park on Friday evening.

He said: “I wasn’t expecting to pick up the two awards (Young Hurler and Hurler of the Year). I knew that I had the All Star.

“Looking back on the year as a whole, the main objective was to win the All-Ireland but it’s great to have eight Clare lads as All Stars.”

He added: “I thought I could have been a lot better. I had an okay year, played well in certain games and didn’t play well in other games. I was lucky to hit a bit of form coming into the quarter-final, semi-final and finals.”