Brian Lohan: 'The two best teams are in the All-Ireland hurling final'

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Manager Brian Lohan at Clare's media event. Pic Credit: Tom Maher, Inpho.

For Brian Lohan, how Clare do it or against who pales in significance next to the primary goal, getting it done. That is the primary reaction to their All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kilkenny. That is their ambition for the decider against Cork.

Clare are back in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2013. Limerick have been a big part of their story but the fact that they won’t be part of the final chapter isn’t a concern.

“The best teams make it to the All-Ireland final,” said Lohan speaking at the All-Ireland press conference in Ennis.

“We can have complaints but at the end of the day — last year or the year before or whatever it was — the two best teams are in the All-Ireland final.

“It is Cork now and they are there on merit. They’ve beaten Limerick twice. So, we can see from the last day, I was in the stand watching, it was just a brilliant experience and brilliant game.” 

He was there in a full Croke Park on Sunday, filled with pride and awe as Cork secured a two-point win.

“The desire they had, the pace that they had, the spirit that they had. The levels of skill. Just the relentless running, the relentless attacking. It was just a real advertisement for hurling and everything that is good in Cork hurling.”

Saturday was significant in its own way. They went in five down at the break. Lohan later said he could have made any number of changes at half-time. Why did he decide not to?

“We know this group. We know these guys. We did feel that they were going to get better. The quality of our starters are our starters because generally, they are the best players in those positions. Things didn’t work as well as they could have done, poor decisions, but we did feel there was more in the players.”

He continued: “There was a general acceptance amongst everyone inside in the dressing room that we didn’t do as well as we could have done. It wasn’t just amongst the management. It was the whole group, just very frustrated after that first half."

The manner of their response is a further demonstration of why there is such pride in this team around the county. That was further reflected by a superb team announcement video before the fixture, showcasing the clubs and supporters as they revealed the starting 15.

"I was talking to Aaron (Carroll) outside. I think it is up at 300,000 views,” said Lohan with a smile.

“It was a call by the county board by Deirdre (Murphy) and Aaron. It was brilliant. I watched it three or four times. It was great to see it."

All of that said, he knows the performance was far from flawless. That will stand to them too.

"We had to think on our feet. It was kind of a test of character as well. So absolutely it was a good way to win. We feel we can get better and obviously we have to get better as well."