AT THE OUTSET of the 2016 season, Aron Shanagher received his call up papers.
He hadn’t come from Clare All-Ireland winning underage teams like other recent Banner prospects but his attacking talent was plain to see.
“I remember Davy ringing me one night and I was shaking.
“I went down and told the parents and they were like, ‘Are you sure you’re going to go for it?’ And I just said, ‘I have to’.
“And then walking into the dressing-room the first day and you see the likes of Tony Kelly, Brendan Bugler, Shane O’Donnell and all of those lads.
“They were my heroes and still are, so it definitely was surreal.”
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Fresh out of the minor ranks, he quickly thrived at senior level last summer, most notably in blasting home a hat-trick in a qualifier game against Laois.
He hasn’t lost his goalscoring habits this year, as evidenced by a crucial strike against Dublin in April’s relegation play-off.
This year Clare are working under new management but Shanagher has not forgotten the man that gave him his senior break.
“Davy really changed my game, to be honest. I would have looked up to Davy as a player and as a manager just winning All-Irelands.
“When I got to work with him he really did change my game. He definitely gave me more confidence. He pushed me at times as well, but it definitely helped me out big time.
“When someone like Davy Fitz tells you that you can do it, then you’re going to believe him. I think that’s how it worked for me anyway.
“It’s good the way Donal (Moloney) and Gerry (O’Connor) have come through onto the senior set-up. I would have worked with Donal last year with the U21′s, and even Gerry we would have worked with him in the club.
“It’s nice being able to chat to the people as they come in when you already know them. You can chat to them as a friend if you want to.”
Limerick on Sunday represent the first championship obstacle to surmount in a second season where the Wolfe Tones man is determined to make his mark.
“Last year I would have been the new guy and you’re trying to make your place and everything and get to know the lads.
“This year it’s easier because you’d be good friends with a lot of the players now. I suppose that gives you confidence in itself.
“I’ll be definitely be looking forward to it. Growing up at U-16 and minor, I just never settled for being on the bench.
“I always had a mindset that I had to be in the team, so I just pushed myself and pushed myself and thankfully it worked out for me.”
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'I remember Davy ringing me one night and I was shaking' - the Clare senior call up
AT THE OUTSET of the 2016 season, Aron Shanagher received his call up papers.
He hadn’t come from Clare All-Ireland winning underage teams like other recent Banner prospects but his attacking talent was plain to see.
“I remember Davy ringing me one night and I was shaking.
“I went down and told the parents and they were like, ‘Are you sure you’re going to go for it?’ And I just said, ‘I have to’.
“And then walking into the dressing-room the first day and you see the likes of Tony Kelly, Brendan Bugler, Shane O’Donnell and all of those lads.
“They were my heroes and still are, so it definitely was surreal.”
Fresh out of the minor ranks, he quickly thrived at senior level last summer, most notably in blasting home a hat-trick in a qualifier game against Laois.
He hasn’t lost his goalscoring habits this year, as evidenced by a crucial strike against Dublin in April’s relegation play-off.
This year Clare are working under new management but Shanagher has not forgotten the man that gave him his senior break.
“Davy really changed my game, to be honest. I would have looked up to Davy as a player and as a manager just winning All-Irelands.
“When I got to work with him he really did change my game. He definitely gave me more confidence. He pushed me at times as well, but it definitely helped me out big time.
“When someone like Davy Fitz tells you that you can do it, then you’re going to believe him. I think that’s how it worked for me anyway.
“It’s good the way Donal (Moloney) and Gerry (O’Connor) have come through onto the senior set-up. I would have worked with Donal last year with the U21′s, and even Gerry we would have worked with him in the club.
“It’s nice being able to chat to the people as they come in when you already know them. You can chat to them as a friend if you want to.”
Limerick on Sunday represent the first championship obstacle to surmount in a second season where the Wolfe Tones man is determined to make his mark.
“Last year I would have been the new guy and you’re trying to make your place and everything and get to know the lads.
“This year it’s easier because you’d be good friends with a lot of the players now. I suppose that gives you confidence in itself.
“I’ll be definitely be looking forward to it. Growing up at U-16 and minor, I just never settled for being on the bench.
“I always had a mindset that I had to be in the team, so I just pushed myself and pushed myself and thankfully it worked out for me.”
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