Shane O'Donnell has impressed in a Clare jersey once again in 2024, though the 29-year-old suggested this week that the end of his inter-county may not be too far down the line.
The hero of the 2013 All-Ireland final replay remains an essential part of the Banner team and was excellent once again in Sunday's dramatic two-point victory at Supervalu Pairc Uí Chaoímh.
O'Donnell spoke to Balls.ie and the Irish media on Thursday afternoon to launch this year's Darkness Into Light run on May 11th, and addressed whispers that he may step away from the Clare setup at the end of 2024. The Éire Óg forward revealed that he has yet to decide whether he will return for 2025, with his eye set on a potential move to the US.
I kind of mentioned last year that I'm taking it a year at a time and that's definitely how I'm thinking about it at the moment. I wouldn't rule out playing next year but I wouldn't be absolutely certain I would either.
I think it's more about work...I want to work abroad and move abroad and take that opportunity while I still have it and strike while the iron is hot in some sense from my work perspective and where I'm at with that.
That's kind of my thinking. It's a challenging decision to make, obviously. It's not I would make lightly. I'm basically just taking it a year at time at the moment.
A 2021 concussion forced O'Donnell to delay his decision to return to the Clare panel.
21 April 2024; Clare manager Brian Lohan during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Clare and Limerick at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
He revealed on Thursday that the manner in which manager Brian Lohan had handled that period had facilitated the "play it by ear" approach he currently lives by.
I would thank Brian openly and have thanked him as well on how he’s allowed me to maybe flex within what he wants and do what’s best for me.
That kind of set the precedent, and then I had an okay year – so it made that decision a bit easier. But then Brian has been extremely mature and frankly brilliant about it, allowing me to make that decision for myself as to what gets myself in the best position for championship.
I think that’s kind of the unwritten contract there! Where as long as I am performing and doing what needs to be done for the team, I think he’s willing to work wit me there. And I think both of us are happy with that, or at least I am and I hope he is.
O'Donnell has been a pillar of the Clare side ever since bursting onto the scene with 3-3 in the 2013 All-Ireland final replay against Cork and has been one of the strongest performers once again for the Banner this season after back-to-back All-Stars in 2022 and 2023.
Clare fans would undoubtedly be devastated to see him step away.
It has already been a jam-packed season for Clare in 2024, and O'Donnell had an intriguing suggestion as to how to ease the issues of fixture congestion for players.
READ HERE: Liam Cahill Takes Unprompted Swipe At Ex-Waterford Manager Ahead Of Big Munster Clash
READ HERE: Former Dublin GAA Star Praised For Impact In Role At English Premiership Club
Clare hurling: Shane O'Donnell calls for National League to be axed
As league champions, Clare have already played nine games across league and championship in 2024, among them two clashes each with Kilkenny and Cork and the visit of archrivals Limerick to Ennis.
6 April 2024; Shane O'Donnell of Clare is tackled by Huw Lawlor of Kilkenny during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final match between Clare and Kilkenny at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
It has been a relentless schedule but that is how inter-county players like it. The above, however, is all before the pre-season leagues and cups are taken into account. When asked if he would be in favour of abolishing those pre-season tournaments, Shane O'Donnell went even further and said he would back a move to axe the National League and elongate the championship.
I don't think any player values January games. I don't think they replicate what it's like to play championship or big games later in the year.
If I had my way, I would just extend the championship and get rid of the league, just have a long championship and not have multiple different competitions. Look, that obviously is not going to be happening any time soon. I think it would give players the opportunity to take championship as seriously as possible and players peaking would be targeted at your championship games.
I had this conversation with Podge Collins, who I'm very good friends with. He would obviously have a more football mindset at the moment, and he's explaining how football is quite different. They really value a lot of the league games
Keeping the football league makes sense, and from my perspective, getting rid of the hurling leagues make sense. But obviously that's maybe quite a drastic change to make.
It would certainly be one of the boldest scheduling switch-ups in recent memory, and it's something that one struggles to see coming to fruition. Nonetheless, the sentiment behind separating the way football and hurling are run is undoubtedly a strong one.
Clare hurler, Shane O’Donnell, pictured ahead of the launch of Darkness Into Light 2024, proudly supported by Electric Ireland. O’Donnell has teamed up with Electric Ireland and Pieta for Darkness Into Light which takes place on Saturday, 11th May, 2024. People can sign up to take part in this year’s event at darknessintolight.ie. This annual event raises vital funds for Pieta’s lifesaving support services for those in suicidal distress and those who have been bereaved through suicide. With over 100,000 participants expected to gather at 230 official walks in 14 countries and spanning four continents, Darkness into Light will once again bring communities together for the most important sunrise of the year. Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Shane O'Donnell has partnered with Electric Ireland and Pieta ahead of this year's Darkness Into Light run, which takes place next Saturday, May 11th. The event raises vital funds for Pieta's lifesaving support services for those in suicidal distress and those who have been bereaved through suicide.
Speaking on Thursday to launch this year's event, O'Donnell explained the importance of Darkness Into Light for those suffering from mental health difficulties - and expressed his gratitude that the three-week break in the Munster championship for Clare will allow him to participate in this year's event.
It's a brilliant initiative...it's coming up on Saturday week the 11th and I'm looking forward to being involved myself. Essentially it's something I'm just very happy to have my name with and to push because the importance of it cannot be overstated.
Reading some of the statistics in the information that's sent out to you before these events, one of them that came up was that suicide is the leading cause of death in Irish men under 25. I don't think there's too much really that needs to be said about that. It's a scary statistic and it's the reason we have things like Pieta House and Darkness into Light.
Shane O'Donnell and Clare can enjoy a lengthy break until their next Munster championship assignment. Their next tie is a home game against Waterford on May 19.
