This article is from page 56 of the 2008-10-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 56 JPG
COLM Honan was lost for words after watching his beloved Clonlara end their 89 year wait for a senior ti- tle on Sunday.
The former club and county star said Clonlara’s fierce work ethic and sheer belief saw them over the finish line.
“Tm stuck for words. It was a fan- tastic game’, said Honan. “It looked at different stages that they were go-
ing to take it away, or took over. They came at us real quicktake But the lads settled and just worked and worked and worked. They have a fantastic work ethic. They went in in twos and threes all the time. The scores were hard earned today. We just edged ahead at crucial stages”.
Clonlara have enriched Clare hurl- ing over the past few months with their remarkable ascent to the top.
Honan, who’s son Darach played a key role on Sunday, said Clonlara’s
ability, particularly in the second half, to deliver fast ball to the for- wards, proved crucial.
“Tt was very hard to hurl. Condi- tions were dire. You couldn’t turn. The ball wasn’t bouncing or rolling for both teams. But in fairness to both teams it was a superb game of hurling. Considering the conditions, the condition of the pitch was dire”.
One of the key moves of the game saw Darach Honan move out to the half forward line and John Conlon
move to corner forward. The switch saw Clonlara win a greater share of possession and the east Clare side, after a poor start, settled into the game. “We got the goal and kept the flow of the ball going back in. Play- ing with the wind as well it was hard to get a nice ball into them. The sec- ond half, our centre field gave them some nice ball”.
Honan was still shaking his head as Paul Collins finished his speech. Unbelievable.