CLARE’S PLAYERS CLIMBED to the top of the hurling ladder last year in spectacular style as they carried off the All-Ireland senior and U21 hurling titles.
Their profiles exploded and they were feted for their exploits.
But with backs turned to the 2013 season and focus firmly on the 2014 campaign ahead of Sunday’s Allianz hurling league semi-finals, have the feats altered the mindset of the Clare crew?
Galway’s Jonathan Glynn has hurled with established Banner men like Conor Ryan and Podge Collins in college while emerging players like Seadna Morey, Paul Flanagan and Jack Browne are also recent UL Fitzgibbon Cup teammates.
He hasn’t detected any change in their approach.
“Everyone is professional, those lads didn’t come in thinking they were better than everyone else. Off the pitch I’d be very good friends with Conor Ryan and as a person he’s awful sound. When he comes to training he’s dedicated.
“He achieved what he wanted to achieve and if everyone else is like him you can understand why Clare won the All-Ireland. They came in as part of a team, especially Ryano and Podge, that’s what I found anyway; that’s the way they are, they take everyone the same. They still put in the hard work, they actually are very dedicated, in everything – eating, training, sleeping.”
Glynn is hoping their success can give confidence to Galway as to what can be achieved.
“On any day anyone can win, a bit of luck – anything can happen. The preparation – training, eating right, all of that, everyone does that, that’s a given. But on the day if a team clicks, if things work for you, anything can happen. We’d be hoping a few people take a leaf from Clare’s book, take it on.”
