'You'll always know when it's over and you're being shoved to the dung heap'

AND so it arrives. April 20th. The date that's been in John Conlon's crosshairs all along.

- BY JOHN CONLON ON HIS DECISION TO GIVE IT ONE MORE YEAR WITH CLARE

Better out on Cusack Park that afternoon than "shoved to the dung heap.

Conlon reckons he'll be on that heap of dung long enough.

April 20, what the 35 year old has been building himself up for.

The routine is set and the work is done. Getting up that hour, or half an hour, earlier in the morning. Into the garage for a bit of extra gym work. 15 minutes pucking against the wall, The tempo quickens to the familiar beat of the summer.

April 20, the day Conlon had in mind when he bought a coffee and a treat for his wife, Michelle, up on O'Briens Bridge, the picturesque landmark which traverses the Shannon.

He wanted to play on for another year with Clare. The treat? Well, it helped to lay the groundwork.

The good news for Clare fans is their talismanic centre back got his wife's blessing, and even better news is that on the eve of Championship, he says he's never felt better.

Conlon has his second All-Ireland and Clare are no one hit wonders. 2013 has been backed up.

The easier thing to do would have been to walk off into the sunset, already assured of his status as a Banner legend.

Maybe walk the dog, as opposed to what he says is the "dog eat dog" of the Munster Championship.

He knows what's coming. That first five or 10 minutes, "tongue out, gasping for air."

You can almost feel it. The shock to the system of Championship hurling.

Boom. Every game "a minefield." The evidence is there. Waterford beat Cork in the first round last year. Where else would he rather be?

"I think it was the lead-up to the Munster final last year, recalls double All Star Conlon.

"We were above for a walk over O'Briens Bridge.

"I said I'd kind of throw it at her (Michelle) after getting a coffee and a treat for her that I think I might go back again next year (2025).

'Look' as she always says, if the body is feeling good and you're up for the challenge'.