Clare hurler who scored the greatest “hit and hope” point of all-time quits county panel

Clare waited 81 years for an All-Ireland title until 1995, and they had to wait another 16 after their 1997 success to reclaim Liam McCarthy in 2013.

But if it was not for a man who almost caused multiple heart-attacks in the press area of Croke Park, as well as among the hordes of saffron and blue supporters, the wait may have been even longer. Domhnall O’Donovan’s brother Cormac scored an outrageous point in 2009 to win an All-Ireland U21 hurling tile for Clare in Croke Park on a sunny September afternoon, and four years later, he managed to somehow engineer a scoring chance to make a draw game of the All-Ireland final against Cork. However this morning it is being reported that the Clonlara clubman is stepping away from the Clare senior panel as he is currently based in Dublin and can no longer commit to the county panel. The 27-year-old has been living in Dublin for the last number of years and commuting down to the Banner county for training a number of times a week. However it is being reported in today’s Irish Independent that he has decided that he is no longer able to commit to the county and has stepped away. It is understood he sent a message to his ex-teammates last night via WhatsApp confirming his decision. O’Donovan starred in the 2013 All-Ireland triumph but has struggled to get a starting place with Davy Fitzgerald’s side in recent years. The corner-back was previously linked with a move to the Dublin hurlers when they were managed by fellow Clare man Anthony Daly, but there is no indication that may take place as of yet. He modestly described the  score in the All-Ireland final  afterwards as "It was a bit of hit and hope. I hit it falling over!" Whatever about that, it gave us a classic local radio commentary moment thanks to Clare FM and commentator Syl O’Connor.