{{Short description|Irish hurler and manager}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=April 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Infobox Gaelic games player |image = Semple Stadium Wall of Fame 2.jpg |name = Brian Lohan |irish = Brían Ó Leocháin |nickname = |occupation = Director of Hurling at UL |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|11|14|df=y}} |birth_place = Shannon, County Clare, Ireland |height = {{convert|1.85|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} |sport = Hurling |code = Hurling |county = Clare |province = Munster |club = Wolfe Tones na Sionna |clyears = |clposition = Full-back |clapps(points) = |clcounty = 2 |clprovince = 1 |clallireland = 0 |colleges = University of Limerick |fitz = 1 |counties = Clare |icyears = 1993–2006 |icposition = Full-back |icapps(points) = 54 (0–0) |icprovince = 3 |icallireland = 2 |nhl = 0 |allstars = 4 |clupdate = |icupdate = }} '''Brian Lohan''' (born 14 November 1971) is an Irish hurling manager and former player who is the manager of the Clare senior hurling team. As a player, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest full-backs of all time.
Born and raised in Shannon, County Clare,<ref>{{cite news |title=Family Lohan |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/family-lohan-1.106061 |work=The Irish Times |date=13 September 1997}}</ref> Lohan began his hurling career at club level with Wolfe Tones. After much success at underage levels, he eventually broke onto the club's senior team and had his greatest success in 1996 when he captained the team to the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (SHC). Lohan also won two Clare Club Championship titles during his career.
Lohan lined out for Clare in two different grades of hurling over a 14-year period. After making his first appearance for the under-21 team in May 1992, he made his competitive debut for the senior team aged 21 in 1993. During a golden age for the team, Lohan won All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) medals in 1995 and 1997, as well as three Munster Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) medals in a four-year period.
At inter-provincial level, Lohan was selected to play in four championship campaigns with Munster. He never lost a game for his province and ended his career with four Railway Cup medals, including as captain in 1996.
Lohan is one of only five Clare players to have made more than 50 championship appearances. During his career, he collected four All-Stars and was named Hurler of the Year. In September 2000, was selected in the full-back position on the Munster Hurling Team of the Millennium.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://munster.gaa.ie/history/munster-millennium-teams/ | website = munster.gaa.ie | title = Munster Teams of the Millennium | accessdate = 22 January 2025 }}</ref>
After retiring, Lohan began his coaching career at club level with Wolfe Tones and Patrickwell, before guiding the University of Limerick to the Fitzgibbon Cup title in 2015. He was appointed Clare manager in October 2019.
==Playing career== ===University of Limerick===
During his studies at the University of Limerick (UL), Lohan lined out with the senior hurling team. In 1994 he captained the UL team to the Fitzgibbon Cup as UL defeated Waterford Regional Technical College by 2–12 to 1–11 in the final. In doing so he was also named player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/lohan-a-total-hurler-503262.html|title=Lohan a 'total hurler'|publisher=Irish Independent|date=1 September 2002|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref> In 2012 Lohan was shortlisted for the Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Waterford/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=160143|title=Shortlist for Fitzgibbon Team of the Century|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=10 January 2012|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>
===Wolfe Tones===
Lohan joined the Wolfe Tones club at a young age and enjoyed some championship success at juvenile and underage levels before eventually joining the club's top adult team at senior level.
On 6 October 1996, Lohan captained Wolfe Tones to their first ever appearance in a Clare Senior Championship final. Lining out at full-back against Clarecastle, he ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1–11 to 1–8 victory. Lohan again captained the team from full-back when Wolfe Tones faced Ballygunner in the Munster Club SHC final. Described as "the dominant figure in the first half", he ended the game with a winners' medal after the 4–9 to 4–8 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THIS+WAS+CERTAINLY+MUN+TO+REMEMBER!-a061282250|title=This was certainly Mun to remember|publisher=Irish Mirror|date=25 November 1996|access-date=24 November 2012}}</ref> On 17 March 1997, Wolfe Tones faced Athenry in the All-Ireland Club SHC final; however, Lohan ended the game on the losing side following a 0–14 to 1–8 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/dominant-athenry-are-worthy-winners-1.53415|title=Dominant Athenry are worthy winners|publisher=The Irish Times|access-date=24 October 2019|date=18 March 1997|first=Seán|last=Moran}}</ref>
On 23 October 2005, Lohan lined out at full-back when Wolfe Tones faced Clarecastle in the Clare Senior Championship final. He was switched to the forwards for the final stage of the game which Wolfe Tones lost by 0–9 to 0–7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/clarecastle-keep-their-composure-to-triumph-1.509776|title=Clarecastle keep their composure to triumph|publisher=The Irish Times|access-date=24 October 2019|date=25 October 2005|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan}}</ref>
Lohan lined out in his third Clare Senior Championship final on 22 October 2006. Playing at full-back he collected a second winners' medal following the 2–11 to 0–13 defeat of Newmarket-on-Fergus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/underdog-mcphillips-springs-tones-off-the-leash-74631.html|title=Underdog McPhillips springs Tones off the leash|publisher=Irish Independent|date=23 October 2006|access-date=24 November 2012}}</ref>
===Clare=== ====Under-21====
Lohan first played for Clare as a member of the under-21 team during the 1992 Munster U21HC. He made his first appearance for the team on 8 May 1992 when he lined out at full-back in a 0–20 to 1–3 defeat of Limerick. On 15 July 1992, Lohan was again at full-back when Clare suffered a 0–17 to 1–12 defeat by Waterford in the Munster U21HC final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/class-of-92-has-made-its-mark-1.172393|title=Class of '92 has made its mark|publisher=Irish Times|date=11 July 1998|access-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> It was Fitzgerald's last game in the grade.
====Senior====
Lohan was added to the Clare senior team during the 1992–93 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 7 March 1993 when he lined out at right corner-back in Clare's 1–9 to 1–6 defeat by Galway. Lohan made his Munster SHC debut on 23 May 1993 when he again lined out at right corner-back for Clare in a 3–16 to 3–12 defeat of Limerick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/questions-still-to-be-answered-29314026.html|title=Questions still to be answered|publisher=Irish Independent|date=2 June 2013|access-date=1 November 2019|first=Dermot|last=Crowe}}</ref> On 4 July 1993, he lined out in his first Munster SHC final, however, Clare suffered a 3–27 to 2–12 defeat by Tipperary.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling-through-hatred-26231636.html|title=Hurling through hatred|publisher=Irish Independent|date=18 May 2003|access-date=21 October 2012}}</ref>
Lohan experienced his first success with Clare when the team secured the National League Division 2 title on 20 March 1994. He later lined out in a second successive Munster SHC final on 10 July 1994; however, Clare again ended on the losing side following a 0–25 to 2–10 defeat by Limerick.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/limerick-sport/110719/Munster-Final---20th-anniversary.html|title=Munster Final – 20th anniversary of Limerick's Munster SHC win of 1994|publisher=Limerick Leader|date=12 July 2014|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref>
On 7 May 1995, Lohan lined out in his first National League final. He ended on the losing side after a 2–12 to 0–9 defeat by Kilkenny.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/kilkenny-don-t-fire-clare-like-munster-foes-1.1093983|title=Kilkenny don't fire Clare like Munster foes|publisher=Irish Times|date=2 September 2002|access-date=18 July 2019|first=Seán|last=Moran}}</ref> Lohan lined out in a third successive Munster SHC final on 9 July 1995, with Limerick providing the opposition for the second year in-a-row. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1–17 to 0–11 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/clare-hurling-1995-2205595-Jul2015/|title=20 years ago today the Clare hurlers won a famous Munster title...but where are they now?|publisher=The 42|date=9 July 2015|access-date=26 July 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}</ref> On 3 September 1995, Lohane lined out at full-back when Clare qualified for the All-Ireland SHC final for the first time since 1932. He claimed an All-Ireland SHC medal following a 1–13 to 2–8 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/championsip-2015-in-the-hot-summer-of-1995-clare-left-a-crater-in-the-hurling-landscape-1.2208128|title=Championship 2015: In the hot summer of 1995 Clare left a crater in the hurling landscape|publisher=The Irish Times|date=13 May 2015|access-date=26 July 2019|first=Malachy|last=Clerkin}}</ref> Fitzgerald{{clarify|date=June 2025|reason=Who is Fitzgerald? Is this information accurate or is it taken from Fitzgerald's article?}} ended the season by being named in the full-back position on the All-Star team, while he was also named Hurler of the Year.
Lohan won a second successive All-Star in the full-back position at the end of the 1996 season.
Lohan lined out in the fourth Munster SHC final of his career on 6 July 1997. He ended the game with a second winners' medal after the 1–18 to 0–18 defeat of Tipperary.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/five-of-the-best-munster-hurling-finals-173291-Jul2011/|title=Five of the best: Munster hurling finals|publisher=The 42|date=13 May 2015|access-date=26 July 2019|first=Ger|last=McCarthy}}</ref> On 14 September 1997, Lohan was once again at full-back when Clare renewed their rivalry with Tipperary in the All-Ireland SHC final. He collected a second All-Ireland SHC medal following the 0–20 to 2–13 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/clare-epic-1997-all-ireland-adventure/|title=Clare's epic 1997 All Ireland adventure|publisher=GAA website|date=20 July 2017|access-date=26 July 2019|first=Cian|last=O'Connell}}</ref> Lohan ended the season with a third successive All-Star award at full-back.
On 12 July 1998, Lohan lined out at full-back when Clare drew 1–16 to 3–10 with Waterford in the Munster SHC final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/banner-left-reeling-by-a-bolt-from-the-blues-26180278.html|title=Banner left reeling by a bolt from the Blues|publisher=Irish Independent|date=13 July 1998|access-date=26 July 2019}}</ref> He retained his position for the replay a week later, but was sent off after just a few minutes. In spite of this, Lohan ended the game with a third winners' medal in four years after the 2–16 to 0–10 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/banner-fly-high-again-in-munster-26181029.html|title=Banner fly high again in Munster|publisher=Irish Independent|date=20 July 1998|access-date=26 July 2019|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}}</ref> He subsequently received a one-month suspension.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/brian-lohans-jersey-retired-for-semi-clash-435102.html|title=Brian Lohan's jersey 'retired' for semi clash|work=Irish Independent|date=6 August 1998|access-date=24 November 2012|first=Frank|last=Roche}}</ref>
On 4 July 1999, Lohan was at full-back when Clare qualified for a sixth Munster SHC final in seven seasons. He ended the game on the losing side following a 1–15 to 0–14 defeat by Cork.
Lohan was appointed captain of the team at the start of the 2000 season, a role he held for three seasons. On 8 September 2002, he captained the team from full-back when Clare qualified to play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland SHC final. He ended the game on the losing side following a 2–20 to 0–19 defeat. Lohan completed his season by winning a fourth All-Star award at full-back.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2002/1129/168932-allstars/|title=Kilkenny take seven All-Stars|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=14 June 2007|access-date=6 December 2014}}</ref>
On 12 September 2006, Lohan announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Clare/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=66243|title=Lohan bows out|work=Hogan Stand website|date=12 September 2006|access-date=24 November 2012}}</ref> His final championship game had been the 2006 All-Ireland SHC semi-final loss to Kilkenny on 13 August.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2006/0813/207887-kilkenny/|title= Shefflin guides Cats into All-Ireland final|date=13 August 2006|work=RTÉ Sport|access-date=5 July 2022}}</ref>
===Munster===
Lohan also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial series of games and enjoyed much success.
After being an unused substitute in Munster's successful 1995 campaign, Lohan made it on to the starting fifteen in 1996. A 2–20 to 0–10 trouncing of Leinster gave him his first Railway Cup medal on the field of play.
Munster made it three-in-a-row in 1997, with Lohan winning a second Railway Cup medal following another defeat of Leinster.
After leaving the team for two seasons, Lohan returned to the fill-back position in 2000. A narrow 3–15 to 2–15 defeat of Leinster gave him his third Railway Cup medal.
==Managerial career== ===Patrickswell===
In retirement from playing Lohan has become involved in team management and coaching. After working with various juvenile teams in his own Wolfe Tones club, he joined Gary Kirby's Patrickswell management team in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/clare/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=139545|title=Lohan takes up Patrickswell role|work=Hogan Stand website|date=10 December 2010|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref> Just over a year later he took over as manager of the club's senior team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/limerick/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=160296|title=Limerick clubs opt for high profile managers|work=Hogan Stand website|date=13 January 2012|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>
===University of Limerick===
In 2012 Lohan took charge of the University of Limerick hurling team and won the Fitzgibbon Cup competition in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/ul-fitzgibbon-cup-wit-1987070-Mar2015/|title =Tony Kelly man-of-the-match as UL celebrate Fitzgibbon Cup final replay win over WIT|date=11 March 2015|work=The 42|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>
===Clare===
On 31 October 2019, Lohan was ratified as manager of the Clare senior hurling team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/clare-hurling-manager-brian-lohan-4874423-Oct2019/|title =Clare hurling management saga draws to a close as Lohan appointed on two-year term|date=31 October 2019|publisher=The 42|access-date=1 November 2019|first=Emma|last=Duffy}}</ref> His first game as manager was on 15 December 2019, where Clare defeated Tipperary by one point in the opening group game of the 2020 Munster Senior Hurling League.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/clare-tipperary-munster-hurling-pre-season-4934772-Dec2019/|title = 0–14 for Tipperary's Forde but McCarthy grabs the Clare winner in Munster tie|date=15 December 2019|work=The 42|access-date=17 December 2019}}</ref>
On 9 May 2021, Antrim defeated Clare by 1–21 to 0–22 in the opening round of the 2021 National Hurling League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/antrim-defeat-clare-hurling-league-5432649-May2021/|title=Clarke goal propels Antrim to shock win over Clare|date=9 May 2021|work=The 42|access-date= 11 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/antrim-celebrate-return-to-top-flight-with-shock-win-over-clare-1.4559738|title=Antrim celebrate return to top flight with shock win over Clare|date=9 May 2021|work=Irish Times|access-date= 11 May 2021}}</ref>
On 21 July 2024, Clare won the All-Ireland SHC final against Cork by 3–29 to 1–34 after extra-time, claiming a fifth All-Ireland SHC title and a first in 11 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2024/0721/1461045-clare-find-extra-gear-to-edge-cork-in-epic-final/|title=Clare find extra gear to edge Cork in historic hurling final epic|publisher=RTÉ|first=Eoin|last=Ryan|date=21 July 2024|access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gaa.ie/article/all-ireland-shc-final-clare-win-epic-encounter|title=All-Ireland SHC Final: Clare win epic encounter|date=21 July 2024|publisher=GAA.ie|access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://munster.gaa.ie/event/2024-all-ireland-senior-hurling-championship-final-clare-v-cork/|title=Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34|date=19 July 2024|work=Munster GAA|access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://munster.gaa.ie/event/2024-all-ireland-senior-hurling-championship-final-clare-v-cork/|title=Clare 3–29 Cork 1–34|date=19 July 2024|publisher=Munster GAA|access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/how-brian-lohan-has-taken-clare-from-the-scrap-heap-to-the-summit-with-his-inimitable-iron-will/a1080248451.html|title=How Brian Lohan has taken Clare from the scrap heap to the summit with his inimitable iron will|date=23 July 2024|work=Irish Independent|access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref>
Having been appointed as Clare manager on a two-year term (with an optional third year) in October 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GaaClare/status/1189985159308873728|title=Brian Lohan has been appointed Clare Senior Hurling Manager for 2 years with an option of 3rd year, following a review at the end of the 2nd year.pic.twitter.com/sKazhccPuI|last=Gaa|first=Clare|date=2019-10-31|website=@GaaClare|language=en|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref> Lohan's term was extended in 2023, and then extended by a further three years in July 2025.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2025/0708/1522560-lohans-clare-tenure-extended-by-another-three-years/|title=Brian Lohan's Clare tenure extended by another three years|publisher=RTÉ|first=Damian|last=Lawlor|date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
==Honours== ===Team=== ;Wolfe Tones *Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1996 *Clare Senior Club Hurling Championship (2): 1996, 2006
;Clare *All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1995, 1997 *Munster Senior Hurling Championship (3): 1995, 1997, 1998
;Munster *Railway Cup (3): 1996, 1997, 2000
;University of Limerick *Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 1994 (c)
===Individual=== *All-Stars (4): 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002 *All Stars Hurler of the Year (1): 1995 *Munster – Hurling Team of the Millennium (2000) *Munster Hurling Team of the Last 25 Years (1984–2009) * In May 2020, a public poll conducted by RTÉ.ie named Lohan in the full-back line alongside Brian Corcoran and Diarmuid O'Sullivan in a team of hurlers who had won All Stars during the era of ''The Sunday Game''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0529/1143339-best-hurling-xv/|title=The final XV|work=RTÉ Sport|date=29 May 2020|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> * Also in May 2020, the ''Irish Independent'' named Lohan at number fourteen in its "Top 20 hurlers in Ireland over the past 50 years".<ref>{{cite news|first=Martin|last=Breheny|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/the-greatest-players/revealed-the-top-20-hurlers-in-ireland-over-the-past-50-years-39244506.html|title=Revealed: The Top 20 hurlers in Ireland over the past 50 years|newspaper=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=30 May 2020|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>
===Manager=== ;University of Limerick *Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 2015
;Clare *All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2024 * National Hurling League (1): 2024
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Navboxes |title=Brian Lohan navigation boxes |bg= |fg= |list1= {{S-start}} {{S-ach|aw}} {{Succession box | title=All-Stars Hurler of the Year | years=1995 | before=Newly created award | after=Larry O'Gorman }} {{S-sports}} {{Succession box | title=Clare Senior Hurling Team Captain | years=2000–2002 | before=Anthony Daly | after=Seánie McMahon }} {{Succession box | title=Clare Senior Hurling Team Manager | years=2019– | before=Gerry O'Connor<br>Donal Moloney | after=Incumbent }} {{S-end}}
{{Clare Hurling Team 1995}} {{Clare Hurling Team 1997}} {{Clare Hurling Team 2002}} {{Clare Hurling Team 2024}} {{1995 Hurling All Stars}} {{1996 Hurling All Stars}} {{1997 Hurling All Stars}} {{2002 Hurling All Stars}} {{All Stars Hurler of the Year}} }} {{Clare county hurling team managers}} {{County hurling team managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lohan, Brian}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners Category:All Stars Awards winners (hurling) Category:All Stars Hurlers of the Year Category:Clare inter-county hurlers Category:Hurling managers Category:Munster inter-provincial hurlers Category:Wolfe Tones na Sionna hurlers