Ballyea captain Stan Lineen reckons the whole of Clare was behind his team as they claimed an historic Munster club SHC title yesterday.

The black and ambers became the first club from the Banner to win a provincial senior hurling title since Sixmilebridge in 2000 when they saw off Glen Rovers' challenge at Semple Stadium

"The one thing we noticed (against Thurles in the semi-final) was the support we were getting around Clare was incredible," he said.

"When we came back against Thurles the stands were moving with the support, and that's been driving us on. We're not just representing Ballyea, we're representing Clare, and we can really feel the support around Clare. The support today and against Thurles was like a 16th player."

Lineen hailed the composure shown by his side when Glen Rovers came back at them in the second half.

"We knew we had to go at them early on - they are a club with a great tradition, you have to try and get on top of them early on," he added.

"We knew coming in at half-time there would be a kick in them, and there was with those two goals. Tony Kelly said at half-time we had to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

"We have never panicked all year. In the county final or against Thurles we kept the heads. We knew we had the players to drag a game back when it was going against us."

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