*Jack Browne raises aloft the Canon Hamilton. Photograph: Natasha Barton

Ballyea’s character and self-belief proved to be critical as they claimed a third Clare SHC title.

Speaking shortly after leading his team glory, Ballyea captain Jack Browne was struggling to absorb a dramatic final few moments whereby they scored four of their last five points to grab victory by the smallest of margins.

“There is some character in those boys, their never say die attitude. I know it can be a cliche but we have gone through a championship with four or five one point wins and a draw,” he outlined.

The outstanding centre back said “the penalty was important.You get chances and breaks and when it came for us, Deasy managed to tuck it away and it was a lifeline back into the game”.

Despite a wasteful period in the third quarter, the 2016 NHL winner didn’t lose faith that victory would be Ballyea’s. “For a long time, especially in the second half, we owned a lot of the ball and we pucked wide after wide after wide but I didn’t think we were going to lose at any time, maybe I’m a bit demented in myself but that is a testament to the boys. You just always back them, they keep going to the bitter end”.

Although Tony Kelly was absent from the field of play, his input on the sideline was vital. “There are setbacks in everything and losing Tony was a huge blow for us at the time. We might have lost him on the field but we gained him on the line. He is one of the best athletes in the country and one of the best hurling brains in the country as well. He spots things that other people don’t”.

Browne was confident that a “bitterly disappointed” Inagh/Kilnamona team would bounce back, “they are a young team. Maybe we got the rub of the green today”.

Related News

hilary tonge ambulance 2
Hilary prioritising health in Dáil election bid
Crescent Christmas pic
Celebrate Christmas at the Crescent
michael leahy 2
Trump inspired Corofin's Leahy to have 'a final stab' in politics
electoral chair 1
Ballot Beats: Election debate sets the scene as polling day nears
Latest News
Crescent Christmas pic
Celebrate Christmas at the Crescent
8
Ferns Wellness customer loyalty programmes
michael leahy 2
Trump inspired Corofin's Leahy to have 'a final stab' in politics
truagh:clonlara v gailltir 16-11-24 áine o'loughlin 1
Áine 'so proud' of Truagh/Clonlara's maiden Munster success
electoral chair 1
Ballot Beats: Election debate sets the scene as polling day nears
Premium
clare v limerick oscar traynor 07-11-24 shane cusack 1
Clare's Oscar Traynor side need a win in Askeaton
laurel lodge 07-11-23 3
59 year old Ennis homeless man who hasn't washed in six months fails to secure bail
wolfe tones v kilrush shamrocks 13-10-24 craig riordan 1
Wolfe Tones through to another final
ann norton pat dowling carmel kirby michael d higgins ennis tt 28-05-22 93
Interim Chief Executive of Council to be appointed next month
Trump-Golf-Hotel-62
Experts fly over 200 soil samples to UK as part of survey for rare snail at Trump Doonbeg

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top