The Big Interview: Clare's calm enforcer sees a county in good hands

Michael O'Halloran won two All-Irelands in his five years playing for Clare, a haul he likens to winning the lottery. Last Sunday, his son Matthew won an All-Ireland minor title in Thurles. As the wheel turns, Michael sees a county now playing and working smart at all levels. 

PASSING ON THE KNOWLEDGE: Matthew and Michael O’Halloran at Sixmilebridge GAA Arena. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

"Mike O’Halloran typified the type of man we were looking for, who made us the team we were… A lot of people said he should never have been there because his skill level was limited but he was the sort of person that would do whatever had to be done for Clare to win. He had an assassin-like mentality. When he went off the Clare team in ’98 the full-back line was never the same, even though the players who came in for him did great jobs. I’ve the greatest regard for him as a person and for what he did for Clare."

Ger Loughnane, Raising The Banner (2001)