'Telling Signs': Mullane Draws Stark Contrast Between Clare/Limerick After McCarthy Exit

Clare's All-Ireland hurling defence is in jeopardy and factors away from the field have brought scrutiny the title holders could do without.

A late comeback draw at home to 14-man Cork proved a false dawn in the Munster Championship as Clare fell to defeats against Waterford and Tipperary in the next two rounds.

The surprise omission of star forward Aidan McCarthy put the spotlight on the county last weekend after it had emerged that the player had togged out at club level for Inagh-Kilnamona.

McCarthy was not selected in Brian Lohan's 26-man panel for last Saturday's defeat to Tipperary in Ennis but he took to Twitter a few days later to say that he "was willing, ready and able to line out for my county".

McCarthy had started the previous two matches against Cork and Waterford, scoring an impressive 1-7 against Cork but the 25-year old struggled against Waterford and was subbed off in the forty-third minute.

He was a key component of their 2024 Liam MacCarthy Cup win, also scoring 1-7 against The Rebels last summer.

Waterford hurling legend John Mullane has weighed in on Clare's off-field woes, indicating that all is not well in the champions' panel right now.

Speaking on the Indo GAA Podcast, Mullane stated that Clare's current situation is not one you would associate with a side fresh of All-Ireland glory.

"It is a strange one because it is not something you associate with All-Ireland champions," Mullane said.

"For me it is very strange given the year they had last year, that certain things have been leaked.

"The Tony Kelly, John Conlon and the biggest one is the Aidan McCarthy mystery, there definitely has been a fallout there somewhere along the lines, only time will tell.

"It ain't good overall because when you lose someone or he is told to step aside it has a knock-on effect. I've seen it first-hand."

Mullane alluded to alleged leaks which saw news of Tony Kelly's absence against Waterford emerge a day prior while Conlon had been due to start vs Tipp, but word emerged that he had a knock and he subsequently came on as a sub.

He questioned whether manager Lohan will consider his future at the helm despite their recent success, given the uncertainty surrounding the camp.

There is signs there from Brian Lohan's point of view, he might weigh it up coming to the end of the year. Shall I stay on or shall I go? Next year will be his sixth year.

"There are telling signs that they are possibly not a united group in contrast to other counties. Like when nobody knew about Nickie Quaid being a part of the (Limerick) panel let alone starting.

"That tells me the contrast of where Limerick are at in being united and where probably Clare are right now."

The Banner are still mathematically in contention to advance into the All-Ireland series but will need results to go in their favour this weekend before a potential showdown with Limerick next week.