Patrick O'Connor refusing to sweat over first Clare three-in-a-row of defeats in seven years

Tony Kelly of Clare signs autographs after the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Clare and Wexford at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. 

No panic or concern in Banner country. Not yet anyway. Despite a first three-in-a-row of defeats in seven years, former Clare corner-back Patrick O’Connor has said there is no need to get anxious about their All-Ireland title defence.

A six-point defeat at home to struggling Wexford last Sunday leaves the reigning League champions winless and pointless after three rounds of fare. This unwelcome sequence of reverses also serves to bridge a seven-year gap to the last occasion a Clare hurling team suffered three consecutive defeats in the same season.

Having fielded largely callow teams against Kilkenny and Galway, the return of John Conlon, Mark Rodgers, and David Fitzgerald, plus a first start of 2025 for Tony Kelly, meant the team that faced Wexford contained nine starters from last year’s All-Ireland final. But still no first win of the year.

“I wouldn't be overly concerned,” said O’Connor, corner-back on the 2013 All-Ireland winning Clare team.

“This Clare team is in a unique place where so many of the old warriors have been there for over a decade now and have been available for so many games. And now management have found themselves in a situation where they are down a load of those guys, and they've had to throw in a load of [young] guys all at once.

“It’s a precarious enough position because they don't have the experience to fall back on. They don't have the guys beside them for a word of encouragement and guidance, so like any young team, they are hurling in peaks and troughs. Sunday was an example of that. Started great but fizzled out.

“Now I know they had more experienced guys back on the field, but it was their first day out this year. If you are finding yourself a little bit short of match fitness, you can find yourself caught out really easily, no matter who you are.” 

In his Irish Examiner column on Monday, Anthony Daly was critical of lads given their chance, but who’d not put their hand up. O’Connor has been impressed with some of those less experienced panel members, giving mentions to Ian MacNamara against Wexford and the physical maturing of Patrick Crotty, but irrespective of any newcomer’s form, he doesn’t see Brian Lohan tinkering with last year’s team.

Bedding in new names and faces is a 2026 priority.

A six-point defeat at home to struggling Wexford last Sunday leaves the reigning League champions winless and pointless after three rounds.

“Outside of this year, we are going to have to find the spine of a new team over the next couple of years because we probably have the highest average age of the top teams. I'd encourage guys to be patient because we are going to have to find new options and new partnerships. For the next two, three, and four years, we are going to be talking about a greatly changed team. Brian is working on that already. The job couldn't be in better hands.

“I know every manager wants competition, but all in all there aren't that many places up for grabs this year. Injuries aside, Brian is going to look for as much continuity as possible because these guys have been there and done it.” 

While still barely holding on in the League’s top-flight, a fourth consecutive defeat away to Limerick this Sunday would end their already slim chances of survival. O’Connor places little stock on their final League position. Over Clare's remaining three games, there are boxes outside of the final scoreline he would like ticked.

“The League won't come into it now, it'll be about showing championship bite, championship intensity. Try be leaving the Gaelic Grounds, result aside, with something clearer in terms of a form line.

“In all games, they've started well and faded out. They were 0-9 to 0-2 up against Kilkenny. Work on why that is happening and address it. The 1-17 total against Wexford was paltry enough when you take the opening quarter out. It was a little bit concerning.

“But these guys have been there and done it. That's what I'd rest easy with. You are not asking greenhorns or guys with potential, these guys have been there and done it.

“And we are all anticipating the return of Shane O'Donnell, and I know when he returns to full training that really picks up the squad.

“All-Ireland champions or not, nobody likes losing matches and it can hit your confidence. It would be brilliant to walk out of the Gaelic Grounds with something to start building that confidence back up ahead of the Munster championship.”