Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly admits that Clare struggled to get the hangover from last year's All-Ireland success out of their system.

The Banner County tamely surrendered the Liam McCarthy Cup and, speaking ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland U-21 HC semi-final against Antrim, Kelly told the Irish Daily Star: "There's no doubt it did take a bit out of us.

"It's something we can learn from. Kilkenny are doing it for ten years and they've no bother coming back year after year.

"We're a young team, we can only learn from this and hopefully we can learn from our mistakes from what we did wrong this year and hopefully put it right in the future.

"But there is no doubt it does take a bit out of you, mentally more than physically. It's just something we'll have to learn.

"I'd say it's individually in each player themselves. Each player has got to draw a line in the sand and leave the previous year in the past and focus on the new year ahead and forget about what has gone on in the previous year.

"That maybe is harder to do after winning an All-Ireland than not winning an All-Ireland, because you need the same drive.

"Look, I have no doubt that the players did have the same drive this year, but to answer your question, it did take a bit of a toll on us overall as a whole team. Maybe not on some lads but collectively I'd say it did."

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