In-game patience key for Tony Kelly as Clare eye final glory

Silverware came to Tony Kelly as if by magnetic force at a young age.

He was 19 when he pocketed All-Ireland medals at senior and U-21 within a fortnight of each other. Barely a month later, he became the first player ever to win Young Hurler and Hurler of the Year awards in the same season.

Club, college, and individual honours continued to flow over the following decade but Clare had to wait an inconceivable 11 years for another victory in Croke Park and an All-Ireland final return.

Because of the Banner captain's feast-then-famine inter-county career trajectory, this decider against Cork means even more than 2013.

"The appreciation of how hard it is is the biggest thing that I have learned from 2013 till now," says Kelly.

"Back then, you’re just a young lad. You’re rolling with it, rolling into Croke Park going, 'Jesus, this is great’.

"It’s not that you haven’t worked when you’re 19 or 20 but from then on, the work that has gone into that 10-11-year period has been substantial that you appreciate it that bit more.

"I’m not too caught up with legacy. It would be more worthwhile for the work. The work your family has done is worthwhile. Your partner at home hasn’t been able to travel for 12 years. They’ve put their lives… do you get me?

"It’s more worthwhile in terms of the club put this amount of work into yourself and Paul (Flanagan), it was worthwhile doing. I would say more worthwhile than legacy or validation or anything like that."

It will only be worthwhile to Kelly, however, if they get the result come 5.30 on Sunday.

"It probably only means something if you win it. That is the way I’d put it.

"I've never been on the losing side of an All-Ireland final in Croke Park. Now, I've only ever got there once.

"When you get to