Clare hurler Adam Hogan aiming to build on incredible 2024
Michael Bolton
Not many hurlers can claim to have the year Clare's Adam Hogan had in 2024.
Starting with victory in the Fitzgibbon Cup against Mary Immaculate College, Hogan was vital for Clare as they won National Hurling League, which was followed in the summer by their first All-Ireland in 13 years.
Hogan also helped his local club Feakle to their first Clare senior hurling title since 1998.
His contribution to the team was recognised, as he won Young hurler of the Year back in October.
Looking back on the year, Hogan saw the Fitzgibbon triumph as a stepping stone for the success that followed.
"It was a stepping stone for success in the summer. Especially against our rivals UL, it was bittersweet.
"You would be playing with lads you would never play with. Lads from Limerick, Cork, and Galway, lads you would be rivals with on the field. It is good to see what type of lads they are.
"It was a great victory, it was definitely a stepping stone for success for myself.
The road back to success was difficult for Clare, who got so close to All-Ireland finals in recent years, but fell short to Kilkenny in the 2022 and 2023 semi-finals.
Had this Limerick team being around at a different time, Hogan and his Clare teammates would likely have provincial medals around their neck.
Even after the division one title win, defeat to Limerick in the Munster final looked like it would be the same story for Clare.
However, Hogan says their reaction to the defeat was crucial to success.
"After the Munster final, we took six days without hurling. It was refreshing to heal.
"Getting over the line, the leaders we have, they have been there before. "It shows the defiance in the team, getting over that Munster final defeat.
"Two losses two years in a row doesn't really affect us. We play like we never lost before, and thank god it came through this year."
While challenging for All-Ireland is all Hogan has known in this Clare side, there is members of the team who know all too well the difficult years that followed post 2013.
For Hogan, having that experience in the squad, mixed in with the youth of players like him, will be crucial for their chances of retaining their All-Ireland title.
"It is good to have that bit of youth and freshness, but it is also good to have those lads who have been there and done it.
"In fairness to the lads, if you have any questions, they will talk you it because they have been through nearly every scenario because they have been playing so long.
"It wouldn't be discussed amongst the players but the only thing we can control is to train as hard as we did last year.
"Even more so - to train as hard as we can. Personally, and team-wise, we can't approach the year any differently to the way we have before.
"You want to win more. That's the type of personality I have, I'm competitive and I want to do better than I did last year."