Michael Duignan Names Surprise Dark Horse For All-Ireland Hurling Title

Michael Duignan has identified Clare as a potential dark horse for this year’s All-Ireland hurling championship, but with a clear caveat.

Speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, Duignan suggested that while Clare have the firepower to take major scalps this summer, there is a sense that this current group may be approaching a defining final run.

Clare, managed by Brian Lohan, come into the season having been eliminated in Munster in 2025 after being All-Ireland champions in 2024, but Duignan believes there is an added urgency around this campaign.

I kind of have Clare in the back of my head as outsiders for the All-Ireland.

But there’s one or two things worrying me… I think this is one last shot for this team.

I’m not saying for Clare hurling, but for this team, this group.

Duignan pointed to the mindset within the squad following last year’s early elimination, revealing that there was an immediate determination to go again.

I know for a fact that a text message went out on the night of that All-Ireland final that nobody was retiring and we’re going to give this one more go.

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However, his concerns centre around key figures in the spine of the team.

Veteran John Conlon, who battled through a serious finger injury over the winter, remains central to Clare — but is now 37. Alongside him, Conor Cleary has also endured injury setbacks.

He’s the heartbeat of the team, but he’s 37 now.

And Conor Cleary at full-back is a warrior as well, but has had a lot of injuries.

So there’s your three and six — and they are the heartbeat of this Clare team.

Despite those concerns, Duignan was emphatic about the quality elsewhere in the side.

From midfield forward, Clare possess as much attacking talent as anyone in the country, with names like Tony Kelly, Shane O’Donnell, Peter Duggan and Mark Rodgers offering scoring threats across the board.

They’re as good, if not better, than anyone else in Ireland.

They have threats from everywhere… they have a serious outfit.

And while he stopped short of predicting outright success, Duignan made it clear he expects Clare to make their presence felt.

I do think they’re going to take a big scalp or two during the summer.

For a team with proven pedigree and a point to prove, that may be all the warning the rest of the country needs to keep their eye on Clare.

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