Brian Lohan happy with Clare's 'level of ambition' in 2025

Clare hurling manager Brian Lohan is satisfied that the squad have the desire to try and match the success last year, where for the fifth time in both the league and All-Ireland championship the Banner reigned supreme.

Early April saw victory over Kilkenny in the Division 1 decider and while again Lohan's men fell short in claiming a Munster title, they regrouped superbly and brought home Liam MaCarthy after a thrilling battle with Cork on 21 July.

And now on the weekend where competitive action resumes, the Banner are at the starting blocks, ready to do it all again, with Derek Lyng's Cats the opposition at Cusack Park on Sunday for the opening game in Division 1A.

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The Clare boss cut a relaxed figure when addressing the media at the launch of the 2025 Allianz Hurling League.

There was a team holiday to Miami and Nashville, with trips also to Chicago, Boston and New York.

"The general mood has been brilliant," was Lohan's summation of the post-All-Ireland celebrations, with the manager "satisfied with how the team played last year and winning the trophies that they won".

That was then.

With no pre-season games to fine-tune, it's straight into the thick of it in Ennis. Lohan has an injury crisis to contend it, with the likes of Conor Cleary (below with Lohan) and Peter Duggan sidelined.

A chance for others to step up then, with 15 new players added to the panel in preparation for the league.

Looking ahead, Lohan said: "The wheel keeps turning. We're back in since the 7th of December and