Brian Lohan was thrilled for his players after Clare’s epic All-Ireland final victory over Cork.

“It feels great, delighted, delighted to win that game, delighted for the lads to get their reward, the ultimate reward in hurling," the two-time All-Ireland winning full back and now All-Ireland winning manager told reporters at Croke Park.

"I’m delighted for Tony Kelly that he was able to go up the steps of the Hogan Stand and collect that trophy on behalf of the county. It’s just brilliant for all the panel of players and in particular for all the guys who have their second All-Ireland now.”

Lohan was especially pleased with how his side recovered from an early seven-point deficit.

“We started poorly, we were conscious that Cork all year have raced out of the blocks and we thought that we were going to be able to handle it. But then they started really well,” he reflected.

“We hung in there, we toughed it out and got back into it before half-time and we were delighted to come in level at half time.”

He added: "Aidan (McCarthy) getting the goal brought us right back into it and we were able to relax a bit and I think we hurled well from there on.

"And I suppose Tony (Kelly) just caught fire in the second half and on into extra-time. When you have got the likes of Tony and Shane (O’Donnell) and John (Conlon) and Diarmuid (Ryan) and Conor Cleary on the field, you always have a chance.”

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