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John Conlon at the Allianz Hurling League semi-finals photocall this week. Cathal Noonan/INPHO
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'If there's one man to keep us grounded, it's Davy' - Conlon

The forward says Clare are being allowed to express themselves by their manager heading into tomorrow’s league semi-final.

DAVY FITZGERALD WILL keep the Clare players’ feet on the ground, according to John Conlon.

The reigning All-Ireland champions topped Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League before overcoming Laois in the quarter-finals to book a meeting with Tipperary as part of a double-header which also features Kilkenny v Galway at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

And 25-year-old Conlon maintains the Banner are in good stead heading into the summer — despite the distractions success brings.

“Davy talked to us at the start of the year about the championship coming up and the League,” Conlon said. “The big thing in the first meeting was that when they won in ’95, it was very hard to keep yourself grounded.

“A lot of people pulling at you for the winter and stuff. Come here and go to these clubs. In fairness, we worked it well.

“Davy had a roster done and everybody did their own little bit, near the clubs you were near. There was no big burden on any one player.

If there’s one man to keep us grounded and on our feet, it’s Davy and the management team.We’re looking forward to the challenge of retaining it and hopefully we can.”

Their league campaign has so far produced four wins, one draw and one defeat while they enjoyed a seven-point victory over tomorrow’s opponents at Semple Stadium last month. The Clonlara forward adds:

“Look, the big thing Davy is always telling us, there’s no dying, no one is sick, everyone’s full of health and that we go out and enjoy ourselves and express ourselves.

“I think that’s the big thing that’s shining through in the last year. The foundations are laid now and there’s great potential there but we must utilise that potential into the future and stay at the top.”

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