Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Hurling ace and deadly finisher, Clare’s fast forward Niall Gilligan, is entering the 2005 Championship with one thing on his mind, and that’s All-Ireland glory.
Leading from the front he took ‘The Banner’ to this year’s National Hurling
League final against Kilkenny in Thurles. Even though they lost to the rampant ‘Cats’ in a scoreline of 3-20 to 0-15, his performances during the spring gave us a sneak preview of what full-backs up and down the country can expect in the
coming months.
The Vodafone ‘Player of the Month’ for March scored an average of 9 points in three games during the month, including an amazing tally of 10 points against Kilkenny. With new coach, Anthony Daly in charge, ‘Gilly’ is confident that this new look Clare side, with its mix of experience and new talent, can go all the way in Munster and after that, who knows? He wants to make up for a few barren years for ‘The Banner’ and give whom he considers, the best fans in Ireland, something to cheer about again.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the ’97 All-Ireland Hurling title was, without doubt, my best moment in sport. Not far behind, was winning the All-Ireland Club title with Sixmilebridge in 1996, which was brilliant for the parish.
Who are the toughest teams you have ever faced?
Kilkenny have been outstanding over the last few years and when we played them last year in the Championship they were simply awesome. We came close to them in the drawn game in Croke Park but in the replay we were totally outclassed by their sheer power.
Who is the toughest opponent you have ever had to mark?
The hardest player I ever had to mark was Offaly’s Martin Hanamy. He never gave me an inch.
Which players do you admire the most?
Barry Nugent and Andrew Quinn are two up-and-coming stars on the Clare side and I think they have a great future.
What advice would you give to young players?
Train as often as you can and put in the effort. If things are not going right, don’t get too down, just keep trying.
Who was your childhood hero?
My hero when I was growing up was John O’Connell who played for Sixmilebridge and Clare. He was a real star.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
In the local scene in Clare, our biggest rivals would be Clarecastle and St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield. We have had many tussles with them down through the years.
Do you play any other sports?
I play a lot of golf.
What are your hopes for the future?
I would love to win another Munster title. After a good league campaign, I think we learned a lot and there is good team spirit in the camp. If we do well in Munster, I think we can go far in the Championship.
© June 2005
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