*Shane O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
The return to action of All Star Shane O’Donnell was one of the main highlights of Clare’s victory in the Allianz National Hurling League final on Saturday.
Éire Óg clubman Shane was introduced at half-time in place of Clare SHC winner Ian Galvin. This was the first appearance for O’Donnell in the county colours this year, in his very first touch he helped set up Clare’s second goal which was scored by David Fitzgerald.
“It was great to play, great to be involved with this panel and this group. It was great to get that first touch, a nice way to start”, he said shortly after the final whistle.
He admitted to being “a little bit nervous but once the game started it ebbed away, you do want to get a ball in the hand and it as great to get that first touch”.
Shane explained that he was “battling a small bit with a longer term injury. I have been back about six weeks”.
Accepting that the result on Saturday was important, O’Donnell said he “wouldn’t put too much emphasis on it. In 2016 we won the league and then lost the first round of the championship. Anyone in a county set up would take the swap. If that happens against Limerick nobody is going to be remembering that we won the league”.
On whether he will have seventy minutes in him for the first round against Limerick, Shane said, “I feel I am able to do whatever they want me to do”.
