CLARE’S CHANCES of retaining their All-Ireland hurling title have been dealt a significant blow, after it was announced today that 2024 Hurler of the Year Shane O’Donnell will be ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.
The 31-year-old underwent extensive shoulder surgery three weeks ago after struggling with an injury picked up in last year’s All-Ireland final. As a result, he has not been able to participate in this year’s Allianz League and has been ruled out of the Munster Championship.
The Éire Óg Ennis full forward was a vital component in Clare’s All-Ireland campaign last season, and has won back to back All-Star awards to match the individual plaudit of being named Hurler of the Year.
In 2021, O’Donnell’s career was almost ended following a serious concussion. Taking a more sensible approach to the sport, the forward only lined out for inter county championship matches from that point on.
Explaining how the decision affected his performance, O’Donnell told RTÉ Sport in December 2024: “For me the season is too long. It would be too long for me to start hurling in December and play and train all the ways through to July at inter-county level and then continue with the club.
“Physically my body would not survive that, I know that now. Also from a work perspective, it's not compatible.
“It came about because of the concussion – I ended up having a long off-season the year after and I felt like I got the best out of my body in a long time – and I had the conversation with Brian Lohan and negotiated this shorter season.
“It served me well, and I think it would serve a lot of players well.”
The absence of O’Donnell this season has been notable. Clare have failed to secure a win in their first three games of the Allianz League, and after the high of last season, they are already facing relegation from Division 1A ahead of their Munster Championship campaign. They have not won a provincial title since 1998.
See More: All-Ireland, Clare, GAA, Hurling, Shane O'Donnell
