Brian Lohan: 'We needed a response, we got a response'

RESPONSE: Clare Manager Brian Lohan during the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

A resounding victory for Brian Lohan’s Clare in front of a bumper attendance at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday night.

Their favourable record at the Thurles venue continues, and it now guarantees them at least their All-Ireland series progress.

The manager said they needed a reaction after Limerick cruised to a 15-point victory in their own back yard two weeks ago.

“When you play as badly as you played against Limerick there is a huge amount of question marks over the whole group,” he said.

“You know, are we wasting our time at this? So we needed a response and we got a response.

“Their is a good attitude in the group, great work-rate, it is a really positive group we are dealing with and they work very hard. We just didn’t show any of that against Limerick, none of it. And that was the most disappointing part of it.

“There was an awful lot at stake for us and we needed a response. Our supporters needed a response and we got that.

“Happy enough with it because it is such a difficult place to come and to win down here. All these matches are so difficult, so we are delighted to get the performance and the result.”

Clare made their move in the second quarter, it was a time when they outscored Tipperary 10 points to one. Full championship debutant Diarmuid Stritch - one of three changes that Lohan made to his starting team - found himself in acres of space and ended with the Man-of-the-match award after scoring six points.

Substitute Ian Galvin (1-2) was another to impress and his goal immediately after half time left the All-Ireland champions with too much to do.

“He was excellent,” Lohan said of Stritch.

“Probably missed a couple as well, so there are always areas to improve on.

“The goal after half time made it comfortable. We managed it fairly well after that and we finished out convincing winners.

“We are into the All-Ireland series and that is crucial for us.

“You have to take each game as it comes and we’ll see how we’ll get on.”