‘Just to clarify and confirm' – Clare GAA star sets record straight after playing for club on same day as Tipperary loss
AIDAN McCARTHY insisted he "didn't walk off" the Clare hurling panel after playing for his club on the same day as Brian Lohan's side loss to Tipperary.
The Inagh-Kilnamona man was absent from Ennis as the
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Aidan McCarthy, left, has clarified why he missed Clare's defeat to Tipperary
Credit: John Sheridan/Sportsfile
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Aidan McCarthy insisted he did not walk off the panel
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Brian Lohan's men's are facing early championship elimination
Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
It emerged that McCarthy lined out for his club earlier on Saturday, and used social media to insist he had not left the squad.
He said: "Just to clarify and confirm, I did not walk off the clare Senior Hurling panel.
"I was willing, ready and able to line out for my county against Tipperary on Saturday evening if selected."
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The outcomes of the Limerick-Cork and Tipp-Waterford games next weekend will determine that.
For the second time this season, Clare fought back from 12 points down on home soil to level.
Even though they could not see it out and went down by three points, the Banner boss was cheered by their resilience.
Lohan said: 'It's been tough because of injuries more than anything else. And we're asking a lot of guys to go out there and tough it out against really good quality opposition.
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'We just came up a little bit short, but it was only a little bit. I wouldn't be that downbeat about it.
'We're still delighted with our crew.
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"They showed a great bit of spirit and endeavour again.'
Lohan was able to call upon the fit-again Tony Kelly, who finished with 1-1, including a penalty he won himself.
Shane O'Donnell returned off the bench for his first appearance of 2025. Last season's Hurler of the Year (shoulder) had completed just two training sessions but won two pointed frees.
As well as McCarthy, they missed Conor Cleary and Diarmuid Ryan in defence.
Conor Leen only lasted 20 minutes, while John Conlon came on late.
Lohan felt the goals coughed up proved most costly.
The Clare boss said: 'It's an area we had expected we would do better, but we obviously didn't. Four goals conceded is way too much in this game.
'You're completely dependent on other results so you could be out of the Championship and the All-Ireland series now.
'We'll just see how other results go and have to just take our beating.'
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