Brian Lohan: Tony Kelly 'good to start' in Clare's title tilt

The Banner's talisman is fighting fit, according to his manager. 

Clare’s Tony Kelly comes on as a sub during the Munster SHC clash with Tipperary. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Tony Kelly could come into the reckoning for a first start of 2024 in the Munster final as Brian Lohan revealed the star forward is back to full fitness.

Kelly made his third substitute appearance of the championship in the 47th minute to a huge cheer and immediately lifted the Clare crowd to their feet again when hooking Bryan O’Mara.

He opened his account from a Shane O’Donnell assist within five minutes and landed a monster free for insurance from his own 45.

“Tony is in good shape, good to start. The big issue with Tony is just match fitness now,” said Lohan.

“He’s been out for a long time and every minute that he gets is an improvement for him.

“This time of the year, it’s hard to get game time because the matches are coming so thick and fast so it’s great to get game time into him.” Lohan will hope to overturn his side’s run of Munster final defeats when they meet Limerick back in Semple Stadium on Sunday week.

“It’s another big game from our perspective. They’re going for five All-Irelands and I don’t know how many Munsters they’re going for but it’s a lot anyway.

“It’s something to look forward to and we’d be hoping our supporters will come down and support us again.” 

Goalscorer Diarmuid Ryan believes Lohan will have no shortage of motivation to fuel his players.

“We know a lot about each other. They’ve got the upper hand in a lot of games recently so I suppose Brian has a stick to beat us with for the next two weeks,” said the wing-back.

“A lot of stuff there we’ve to work on but it’s where we wanted to be at the start of the year.” Building on their League triumph, a Munster crown is a high priority for Ryan.

“It’s huge. There are three cups up for grabs. We’ve got one and we want the next one. None of us have a Munster medal.

“It’s a massive prize on offer and going to Croke Park is even bigger. That’s what we’re trying to do and we’ll go all out for the next two weeks.” Ryan hailed the impact of full-forward Shane O’Donnell, who instigated the quick-passing move for his goal among an exhibition of set-up play.

“He’s an unbelievable player and we’re so lucky to have him. The way he makes the ball stick inside, it’s like a magnet.

“He won frees, he got scores, he set up scores. He’s a leader in that dressing room and he stood up when we needed him.” Despite constructing an eight-point lead, Clare still let Tipperary back within one score by the final whistle. It’s a trend that Ryan is certain will receive some attention in the coming fortnight.

“That’s not going to do in a Munster final. We know that. A lot of work to do and that’s exactly what we’re going to target over the next couple of weeks, that 70-80-minute performance. Hopefully, that’ll be enough to take us over the line.”