Moher Power

When approaching a blank canvas to illustrate a major sporting achievement, it’s always an interesting challenge to come up with a fun approach to depict the enormity of what has just been done. Clare’s mighty effort in winning this years All-Ireland Hurling Final in the manner in which they did, is right up there as one of the greatest hurling campaigns ever. Their campaign started slowly, but as the year progressed they steadily improved, culminating in a superb drawn final with Cork, and a fairytale replay, which had an abundance of talking points. Davy Fitzgerald’s sideline savvy, Domhnall O’Donovan’s ‘one in a million’ magical equaliser in the drawn game, Shane O’Donnell’s late call up, and brilliant 3-3 in the replay, and captain Pat Donnellan’s superb display and leadership, are just a few of the highlights. Every member of this young panel gave 110%, and reaped the adulation of a county that will see no winter over the coming months.

So how can this monumental achievement be illustrated in such a way that links some of these heroic individuals with their native county? Most of us are familiar with Mount Rushmore in the U.S. where four of the great American presidents are immortalised in gigantic sculptures. It wouldn’t surprise me if Clare County Council was to receive a planning application to do something similar on the imposing greyness of the Cliffs of Moher, and a certain H. Bohan is probably talking to the architects right now! What would it look like? I’m sure that there would be lots of debate as to the four that would be selected. Well, as can be seen from my painting, I went for Davy Fitz, Domhnall (The Equaliser) O’Donovan, 3 goal Shane and Captain Pat Donnellan. I’ve temporally labelled this piece ‘Moher Power’, but I’d welcome any additional suggestions from the Banner county faithful by December 20th

Size for print is 40cm x 30cm