At the beginning of the year Robbie Hogan questioned whether or not he would return for a fourth season in charge of the Ballyea senior hurlers, little did he think that he would preparing the troops for a Munster Final in the month of November.

Two-time All-Ireland senior hurling medallist with Clare, Fergal Hegarty has labelled Tony Kelly as the greatest hurler to be produced in Co Clare.

In arguably the greatest game played in Cusack Park this year, Ballyea showed why honesty and character will prevail as they booked their place in the Munster Club SHC final with an extra time win over Thurles Sarsfields.

He’s a Kilmihill man but since becoming the first man to captain Ballyea to glory in the Clare SHC, Stan Lineen will always be associated with the village of Ballyea.

During his playing days with Kilnamona, Fergal Hegarty never came close to winning a Clare SHC medal but in his first year as trainer of the Ballyea hurlers he has helped guide them to the club’s first ever senior title.

Few years can come close to the present one for Ballyea’s Gary Brennan.

All year long Ballyea’s motto has been ‘you win or you learn’, throughout 2016 they have taken lessons from every game resulting in them being crowned the ultimate winners and 2016 Clare SHC champions.

Ballyea won the Clare Senior Hurling Championship for the first time in their eighty two year history when they overcame the challenge of Clonlara on the second time of asking in the replayed final.

Clonlara's chances of becoming Clare SHC champions are still alive, their captain John Conlon is understandably delighted to still be in with a shout of raising the Canon Hamilton.