'I'm playing the last couple of games of my career'

Clare's Shane O'Donnell and Daithi Lohan dejected after the deefat to Limerick ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Shane O’Donnell is set to hang up his hurl at the end of the season.

The double All-Ireland winner and the 2024 Hurler of the Year retired from inter-county duty after Clare’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final loss to Limerick in July and is now set to leave the club stage as well, despite being only 32. He recently got engaged to Niamh Willis and the couple are planning on emigrating to Australia later this year.

O’Donnell confirmed to TG4 after helping holders Éire Óg Ennis to a 3-25 to 1-14 Clare SHC quarter-final victory over Wolfe Tones Shannon last Sunday this season would be his last.

“Today could have been the last game, and I was pretty conscious of that coming in, to just enjoy and embrace it. So I’m playing the last couple of games of my career and trying to embrace and enjoy them,” the gifted forward said.

O’Donnell admitted that the role of spectator will take a bit of getting used to.

“I’ll have a better answer for you next year, but this part of the year is the same, you go straight back to the club. But the thought that I won’t be going back training next year, it’s strange knowing I’ll be outside that group watching on.

“But another phase of life that I’m looking forward to, so there’s good parts as well,” he added.