*Tony Kelly lifts the Liam McCarthy. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CAPTAINING Clare to All-Ireland glory “is the best thing I probably will ever do in hurling,” Tony Kelly has said.
Ballyea’s Kelly delivered a man of the match display scoring an outstanding 1-4 in guiding Clare to win the All-Ireland SHC following extra time against Cork.
Speaking in Croke Park on the meaning of becoming an All-Ireland winning captain, Tony reflected, “it is the best thing I probably will ever do in hurling. There is a bit of luck involved, to be asked to captain the team first of all and then to have a team and a panel good enough to win”.
Kelly’s journey to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand was a long one given his struggles with injury earlier this season and an operation he underwent to rectify an ankle problem back in December. “The back end of last year was frustrating, trying to find out what the problem was but once you find out it’s not too bad and you have a date to return. There are a couple of bodies in rehab which helps to keep you going, like Ryan Tatylor and the man here beside me (Shane O’Donnell) who decided to come back in March or April”, he said with a smile.
Whether he would opt to make a later return to the panel similar to what O’Donnell has done in recent seasons given his injuries, Kelly replied, “only a certain couple can do that. I like going training, its enjoyment, the days of getting dogged are over, everythng is managed now, there was no GPS eleven years ago, management were eye testing, everything is managed now”.
In 2013, Tony became the first person to win Hurler of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year in the same year, a feat which was acknowledged by President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns. Recalling the success eleven years ago, he stated, “you are thinking this is mighty, coming of the back of underage success. Hardship makes you appreciate things as you get older. For six involved from 2013 its mighty for them to have stuck the course. We were beaten in four Munster finals, probably got a bit of stick for not backing up 2013, for John Conlon Davy Mac (McInerney) and the rest of us it is sweet”.
When it came to extra time with a rising amount of injuries, Kelly showed immense leadership but he lauded the impact from the Clare substitutes. “We got savage contribution from our forwards coming on all year, our backs coming on today, Darragh Lohan, Cian Galvin and Ryan Taylor in the middle of the field. Different lads on different days have chipped in which is really important. The league gave us that in giving lads game time. Conor Leen got that, we got a great platform from the league with a lot of new lads getting game time”.
Special praise was reserved for centre back John Conlon from Kelly. “John is pretty much the leader of the pack, he is the elder statesman on the team, he really is an unbelievable guy, a talented hurler, his application and willingness to bring new lads together. I would have him on the same level as a Seanie McMahon, Brian Lohan, Colin Lynch. He has the same aura about him, his leadership ability is second to none, he is one of the best Clare players, he looks after himself incredibly well”, said Tony before adding “he says he is doing another year”.
How Brian Lohan has lifted standards in the county was lauded by the captain. “Since he came in, everything is for the betterment of Clare. Before that we were in the media for not having things together, we were never on for our hurling. Brian cleaned up everything behind the scenes, he has us eating out of the palm of his hand. He is teak tough but to us he will defend us to the hilt. He is tough but a sound man behind it all. He is a legend”.
