“Cork really attacked the first few minutes of the second half, got a really good goal. Put on a few points afterwards so it was big for us to respond to that. We have really good players, really good finishers and they showed that.

“They showed grit, after the week we’ve had. There is no shame ever in losing but to make the errors that we made, that was very disappointing. Not just to lose, but the manner we lost last week.

“Since you’re six years of age you’re told to block the ball and mark your man - those are the things we didn’t do. That’s how we conceded those three goals late. So very disappointing to be at that level of hurling, at that pitch, up against the opposition we were up against, and not to do the basics. That was really disappointing. It made for a tough week.

“Crucial for us that we responded, and we responded well. Tough ding-dong type of game. Great to come out the other side."

There was no point during the game Páirc Uí Chaoimh when Lohan felt Clare had their hands on the points.

“In this game, you don’t ever have it won until the game is over. It was an up and down game. Scores were coming thick and fast right through. We were going to play on until the referee blew the whistle. Then at the end, you are going to be on top. Today we were. We’re right back in it now.

“The other thing I’d say, we really appreciate the support we got from supporters today. You could understand if they didn’t want to come down. We are thankful that they did, and in such high numbers.”

The victory bags them their first two points. He does, however, caution there is a long road ahead.

“All these games are big pressure games. they’re hard games to win. Obviously, with the way the championship is, teams seem to be taking points off each other and that will continue – a lot of the teams are very even. So if you lost two games, it would seem that you’re nearly knocked out of it but I don’t know, there will be twists and turns in this yet.

“Ourselves and Cork were in the same situation. A lot of pressure on. That’s just the nature of it. Just delighted to get the win.” 

Clare were forced into one late change with Darragh Lohan crying off to be replaced by Cian Galvin. And there was no Tony Kelly on the subs bench either, his number 26 filled by John Conneally. Both players now have three full weeks recovery time ahead of the Waterford game in Ennis.

“Both Darragh and Tony would love to have been able to make it, but they couldn’t. If they are injured, they’re injured. The call was made after Thursday morning when the teams had to be in. It was up to everyone else to get on with it. With Tony being out, everyone else knows they have to give a little bit extra.

“Tony is working away with the physios. We were hoping he’d be right today but he just wasn’t. Hopefully we’ll be able to get a bit of game time into him.

“We’ve a good panel and they’ve been working hard all year.” 

On the big decision by referee James Owens to issue a second yellow card to Cork captain Seán O’Donoghue midway through the second half, the manager added, “I hate to see hurlers sent off, regardless of who they are. So it was tough luck on Seán. But these things happen. Sometimes they work for you, more times they work against you.”