With Limerick's injury troubles, Tipperary's decline, and the unpredictable nature of the Championship, who knows? Maybe Clare could establish themselves as the dominant force again in 2025.
Speaking this week at the launch of the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup to RTÉ Sport, the 22-year-old admitted that it is important for the team not to approach the year any differently from the one just past.
"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," he said. "Even more so—to train as hard as we can. Personally and team-wise, we can't approach the year any differently than 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."
Clare's goal of an All-Ireland crown might have seemed farcical to many after their defeat to Limerick last year. Many had backed Limerick to win their fifth Liam McCarthy last July, but Clare ended the year as the best hurling team in the country.
Shane O'Donnell of Clare is tackled by Seán O'Donoghue of Cork (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Hogan admitted that overcoming Kilkenny in the semi-final was key, as the Cats had gotten the better of Clare on more than one occasion. He claimed that halftime during the game was crucial, as the team had very little to lose when trailing.
"It shows the defiance in the team, getting over that Munster final [defeat]," added the Clare native. "It was great to get over the line, eventually, in the All-Ireland. Getting over Kilkenny was probably the most important thing; the last few years, they'd beaten us.
"Half-time was needed; we weren't playing to our full potential. We said at half-time that we had nothing to lose and went out there and took the shackles off.
"It's the defiance in the team. When we're not playing that well, we can recuperate and come back again."
The sides will meet again in the opening game of the Allianz Hurling League on January 26.
