The one that got away from Banner brothers

Twenty years ago, there were the three shadowy priests who, it was claimed, had knowledge of Colin Lynch’s suspension before the Munster Council had even met to decide his faith. In Liam Doyle, Seánie McMahon, and Anthony Daly, meanwhile, Clare had the three wise kings, forming one of hurling’s greatest half-back lines. Two decades on from the Banner’s last Munster SHC success and the All-Ireland title that got away, the trio recall that tumultuous summer of ’98, from Lynch’s ban to Jimmy Cooney’s bad time-keeping.

John Fogarty: Twenty years on, how does that season and Clare’s last Munster SHC success sit with you?

Liam Doyle: The three-game saga with Offaly is what sticks out the most. My one disappointment is that we could have participated in another All-Ireland final.