Shane O'Donnell has doubts about Clare supporters' belief in the team

O'Donnell said there is a side to Clare manager Brian Lohan that people do not see in the media.

Sat, 02 Nov, 2024 - 07:00

John Fogarty

Hurler of the year Shane O’Donnell feels the Clare supporters’ belief in the team is still “lagging by a year or 18 months” behind the players.

As grateful as he was and is to the following whose faith in the All-Ireland champions he says is growing, O’Donnell felt fans weren’t convinced their team would beat Limerick in the 2022 Munster final, which the neighbours eventually won after extra-time.

“As a group, you think we can always win these games,” said the Éire Óg, Ennis man upon winning his award.

“Maybe the supporters don't necessarily believe, but they are still there supporting you. Deep down, I'm not sure if they believe. The first Munster final against Limerick, and Limerick were undefeated for years. Going in, we believed we could beat them, but I think the supporters don't, but they are still there to support us.

“Then, we have a moment where we could have won that game. Suddenly, the outpouring of emotion after that game, it really was incredible. Even though we lost, it was just pure pride from the supporters. Every year it has been that level of support. Obviously, their belief in our ability has been growing as well as ours, maybe just lagging by a year or 18 months.”

O’Donnell credited manager Brian Lohan for allowing players to contribute to the decision-making process.

“Brian has this persona, and the media even get a colder version of it because maybe he doesn't speak as fluently to the media as he does to us.

“He is an exceptional person, he really does see the person behind the player taking to the pitch. He understands playing at that level isn't just about your ability to hit a ball or ship a hit. There is so much going on before you step across the white line, he is very aware of that, he is very conscious of that.

“He has always maintained that split view of the players where there is a lot going on outside of what they're doing on the pitch. That has served us extremely well. He has also let us foster this respect and trust in us, which lets us give input.

“He is the boss, he makes the decisions, but he at least takes input from the players, and filters that into the decisions he makes. On the pitch he has given us licence to make changes, if we see things on the pitch, before they're able to react on the sidelines. That environment he has fostered in the last few years has been incredible to be a part of. It has been a joy.

“I even said it before this year or earlier this year, before we won anything, it has been a fantastic few years. It has been so enjoyable. It has been the best years I've played with Clare, that was even before we won. It is a great panel to be a part of, Brian should be the one that is commended for that.”

Looking back, O’Donnell is grateful for the quality of Clare players he had around him as a teenager.

“From minor I'd have the likes of Tony (Kelly), Colm Galvin, Davy Mc(Inerney), all of them instantly in the group around me, propelling me forward.

“Success breeds success, I feel. There is a reason I'd stay hurling. If you're 18, you play minor, get annihilated in every game, and then suddenly there is an opportunity to go to America in your J1 year, suddenly that is ruling out your hurling and suddenly your hurling career is over. So, it is very important that I was very fortunate to be in a really strong group early days.”