Statement from Clare hurlers claim “numerous inaccuracies” in media’s reporting of squad departures

Clare's hurling panel released a statement this evening in an attempt to clear up the alleged "inaccuracies" that were reported of the departures of Davy O'Halloran and Nicky O'Connell from the panel.

O'Halloran and O'Connell, both of whom are All-Ireland winners with the Banner County, left the Clare hurling panel last week after refusing to accept the punishment handed down to them by manager Davy Fitzgerald. O'Halloran had taken part in an interview with The Irish Times after leaving the panel in which he claimed to have felt "humiliated" by the "double standards" of the Clare management and said that “A lot of the lads aren’t happy, see lads are too scared to stand up to him (Fitzgerald)."   The statement, issued by joint-captains Dillon and Patrick Donnellan as well as Fitzgerald and team selectors Louis Mulqueen and Michael Browne, reads:

“The Clare senior hurling panel and management have met on the recent disciplinary issues that have been aired in the public domain. “All involved are happy that the matter was dealt with fairly. “While there are numerous inaccuracies reported in the media, on social media and in a former player’s (O’Halloran) statement, the matter is now closed and we, as a group, are all happy to move forward, united and to continue to enjoy working hard for Clare hurling.”