Cavan suffer blow as star player quits panel

EXCLUSIVE

Paul Fitzpatrick

Cavan's hopes of ending a 23-year wait for the Anglo-Celt Cup in 2020 have been dealt a crushing blow with the news that key man Killian Clarke has quit the panel.

The Shercock star, the former team captain and Irish International Rules panellist, informed management in recent days that he is stepping aside from the county panel.

With Dara McVeety – currently travelling in South America – also unavailable for the National League at least, Cavan will be without two of their outstanding players.

“I've been involved nine years at this stage. It's a decision I didn't come to lightly,” Clarke told The Anglo-Celt today (Tuesday).

“I want to take a bit of time to myself and evaluate what my life is going to be.

"I heard there were rumours that I had a falling out with management but that's not the case at all. I just fell out of love with the game a wee bit to be honest. I wasn't enjoying it.

“I struggled through the club championship and then I went on holiday and had a long time to think about it.”

Clarke (26) insisted that there was no falling out or breakdown in relationship with any member of management or the current panel but that he had come to the decision because he wanted to prioritise other areas in his life.

“I just want time to concentrate on myself, to look after number one for a change instead of putting football first like I have done for the last eight or nine years," he said.

Killian did not rule out returning to play with Cavan in the future.

 - For the full story, including Killian Clarke's hopes for Cavan in 2020 and his views on the changing culture of the team, pick up tomorrow's Anglo-Celt print edition.