When All-Ireland hurling champions Clare get their Allianz League campaign underway exactly one month from now against Kilkenny in Ennis, they will be without this year's hurler of the year Shane O'Donnell.
For the third successive season the 30-year-old will opt out of the early part of the year and will not be part of manager Brian Lohan's plans.
O'Donnell initially took the time off due to a concussion issue which was threatening his hurling career but with a demanding job in a tech role building software he feels he and other players can't be expected to hurl all year round.
The Éire Óg Ennis clubman believes that more players, in particular experienced inter-county stars, will choose to sit the competition out.
Shane O'Donnell on opting out of the Allianz Hurling League
In an interview with RTÉ's GAA Correspondent Marty Morrissey he explained his viewpoint:
"I’ve recommended it to a load of people. I feel like it is something that will become more common," he said.
"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."
O'Donnell had a mesmerising season in the saffron and blue as Clare won the Liam MacCarthy Cup for just the fifth time in their history.
Clare will open their Munster championship campaign in less than four months time with an All-Ireland final rematch against Cork first up by which time O'Donnell will be hoping to be firing on all cyclinders once again.
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