Last of Clare's breakthrough heroes retires

THE LAST man standing has finally taken his leave. In typically unobtrusive fashion, devoid of the fanfare that never followed his career anyway, Frank Lohan is the last hero from the 1995 Clare team to step off the intercounty treadmill.

It means the All-Ireland quarter-final duel against Cork on July 27th marked his 58th and last appearance as a Clare hurler. They lost valiantly that day by two points - 2-19 to 2-17 - with Lohan operating at fullback, a position he filled these past two seasons since his more feted brother, Brian, exited the main stage.

A corner back by trade, Frank Lohan made his senior intercounty debut in the 1994 national league as a 20-year-old, going on to compile a record number of championship appearances for an outfield player from Clare (goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald has 60 notches on his championship belt) and third on the nationwide list behind the Cork legend Christy Ring.

Lohan played in three All-Ireland finals - in 1995, 1997 and 2002 - collecting winners medals on the first two outings, only to lose to Kilkenny in 2002 as the old ruling order was reasserted following the revolutionary days of the 1990s, when Offaly and Wexford also reached the summit.

Clare's breakthrough under Ger Loughnane in 1995 ended an 81-year drought since their only other All-Ireland title. Lohan also picked up an All Star award, at corner back, in 1999.

Speaking to the Clare People this week the Wolfe Tones na Sionna clubman discussed the highlights of a 15-season career.

"The whole 95 year was amazing," said Lohan. "The Munster final was my first time starting a championship match. It was only at that stage that I realised what it was all about.

"I remember Dalo (Anthony Daly) spoke before we went out on the field and it was only then that it dawned on me how serious this was. It was the real stuff we were talking about.

"It was a very emotionally charged sort of event. That day was just amazing.

"There was such a build-up - Ger had been involved in 13 teams that had lost Munster finals, so that final was a huge deal.

"The All-Ireland final was a much bigger match, but that same tension wasn't there. It was just the tension within the match, nothing outside.

"Retirement is the natural progression," he continued. "I've been at it an awful long time and absolutely loved it along the way but now is the right time to move on. There's no question that I'll miss it a bit.

"For me, the chance of winning a Munster title or an All-Ireland drove me forward. That's what I'll miss.

"Being in Ballyline training, or committing to five nights a week training - I won't really miss that.

"Every year you look at it. You go into winter training wondering can you get up to the level of fitness required. Am I willing to give what needs to be done to get up to that level?

"I would have had serious questions of myself over the past few years to see would I be able to do that.

"I suppose 2007 was a disappointing year for everyone concerned; it was probably said to me that it wouldn't have been the nicest year to leave on."

Lohan also played football for Clare in 1996 when a premature June exit from the hurling championship, after defeat to Limerick, saw him switch codes and even kick an extra-time point when coming off the bench in the Munster semi-final replay defeat to Cork.

That same year he also played for UCC, who lost the Cork county football final to Clonakilty.

The focus now inevitably switches to the future of Colin Lynch and Niall Gilligan, the last two survivors from the 1997 All-Ireland-winning team.