COUNTY FINALS ARE traditionally a united family affair, but one household will be divided for the Kilkenny senior hurling final this weekend.

The meeting of Clara and O’Loughlin Gaels will bring a headache for the Hogan clan, as two brothers prepare to go toe-to-toe. In the maroon corner is Clara captain Keith; in the white and green corner, is his older brother Brian.

The encounter (throw-in at Nowlan Park is at 3.15pm) is made even spicier by the fact that the brothers will be in direct opposition. Centre-forward Keith, one of Clara’s main score-getters, will be hoping to get one over O’Loughlin’s centre-back Brian.

“It’s not ideal, and I’d say Keith will say the same,” said Brian of the task he faces marking his brother.

“We don’t enjoy playing against each other, but it is what it is. You have to park it for the hour and get on with it. You’re wearing your club colours and representing them and that’s really it.”

The brothers (Brian started school in St John’s parish in the city before the family moved out to Clara, where Keith was born and subsequently went to school) have clashed in the local league and championship before, but Sunday’s game will be the first time they’ll meet with the county silverware at stake.

“We used to always say that as long we avoided each other in the championship then we’d make do with the league games,” smiled Keith.

“Since then we’ve collided once or twice in the championship, so we said as long we avoid each other in a county final. Sure enough, it had to happen.

“It’s a strange one, but we have to hurl and get on with it,” he added. “At the end of the day we’re brothers, so we won’t fall out over it. We’ll mark each other and do our best; we’ll have a pint at Christmas and laugh about it!”

Keith Hogan in action for Clara.

Clara, who booked their place in the final thanks to a win over Mullinavat, have been one of the form teams in Kilkenny hurling circles over the past few years. Relegated from the senior ranks in 2011 they bounced straight back in 2012 and have been on a roll since.

They won the intermediate club All-Ireland title in Spring 2013, then capped an incredible year by winning the senior county title later that year, beating Carrickshock by 1-15 to 2-10 in the final. Clara were back in the decider 12 months ago, losing to Ballyhale Shamrocks, meaning Sunday’s game will be their third senior county final appearance in succession.

“It’s been unbelievable how things have gone for the club over the last few years,” said Keith.

“When we were relegated that was like hitting rock bottom, but we didn’t believe we were an intermediate team – we said we were getting straight back out.

“When we got up we wanted to leave our mark on the level,” he added.

“We knew we were good enough to compete but things really snowballed in the last few years. Winning the league in our first year back up was a big help, as it gave us the belief.

“After that we won the championship, then last year we got back to the final and now we’re there again.”

Clara’s achievements are no mean feat, as older brother Brian acknowledged.

“I know how difficult it is to get to a county final, so to do it back-to-back and then again for a third year is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“Ballyhale have been the dominant team over the last number of years, but Clara have been the most consistent, winning league titles and getting to county finals.

“They’ve gone from strength to strength and are a tough nut to crack. They’ll be gunning for the championship, having lost last year’s final, so we’re well aware of the challenge that faces us.”

The 2015 campaign has seen Brian Hogan show some impressive form. Since retiring from inter-county duty he has been able to devote all his time to the club’s cause, something which helped them dethrone reigning champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and reach their first senior county final since 2010.

“We have been building all year,” he said of the city club’s fortunes.

“There’s been a good vibe about the panel and I think we’re in a good position strength-wise at the club.

Brian Hogan continues to be a massive leader for O'Loughlin Gaels

“I’ve enjoyed being back with the club since the start of the year. It’s been a long time since I’ve done a full season with the club, doing Winter sessions and getting to go away on a few trips with the club.

“I’m very happy with how things have gone,” the seven-time senior All-Ireland medal winner said. The League went well for us too, getting to the Shield final, so in general the year has been very positive. There are a number of lads coming off the minor scene too who are looking to push on so it makes things more competitive.

“We were confident we had it in us to get the result (against Ballyhale in the county semi-final), but it’s a matter of producing it on the day. Everything in the lead-up to the game was positive, we felt good and were hopeful we could get the win.

“Thankfully we did, but there’s no doubt we’re going to have to produce that and more on Sunday against Clara,” he added.

“They and Ballyhale have been the champions the last two years and will offer a huge test. We’ve struggled to beat them in the last few years – they’re a very good team – so it’s all to play for.”

And while the brothers are focused on the game, they know it’ll be an anxious day for the rest of the Hogan family.

“Keith and I are focused on our own game and our teams, but it’ll be a different story for the parents and our other brother Barry in the days before the final,” said Brian.

“As for the match, one of us will have a smile on our face after the game and the other won’t – but that’s the nature of sport.”

“It will be bizarre to see two brothers playing on opposing teams, but to be marking each other is something else,” said Keith.

“I’ll be studying up on him before the game.

“I’ll watch the All-Ireland finals from the last number of years to see how he plays and what he’s good at!”

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