CLARKE CAN’T

Super Cross star Jamie may never return to county game admits clubmate Mcconville

OISIN MCCONVILLE fears Jamie Clarke’s Armagh career could be over as it is believed the veteran forward will not be a part of Kieran Mcgeeney’s plans this year.

Clarke turns 32 in June and, having previously taken breaks from the county set-up to travel and build up contacts in the fashion industry, Mcconville believes this could be the end of his road with the Orchardmen.

“I believe Jamie’s gone, that’s my understanding,” said Mcconville. “He couldn’t commit for the full year.

“I’m not on social media so some of you guys might be able to tell me better what part of the world he’s in!”.

Clarke is currently residing in Paris. Speaking three years ago, Clarke admitted that he would have to fully commit to be a part of Armagh’s plans.

“If I’m going, I’m going,” he said. “But if I’m in, I’m in. I’m never half in or out. It’s one or the other.”

The Crossmaglen star had previously left the panel ahead of the 2016 and 2018 seasons.

“Other people may regret it more than him, he seems to be OK with his life choices and we probably have to accept that for what it is,” said Mcconville, a Cross clubmate of Clarke.

“We’re not all wired the same way. He might be looking at some of us who’ve played for Cross and Armagh in the past and thinking, ‘there’s more to life than that, and I want more for my life than that’.

“Whereas our thinking was a little bit on the flipside of that. Because of that, he probably is happy enough with the decisions he’s making.

“This is not the first time Jamie has gone away. If he has gone away and regretted it in the past, he has come back in.

“So he knows his plan, he knows what’s laid out for him and I’m sure it’s not a decision he has taken lightly. But this time could be the final time. I’m not sure what age Jamie is, but there’s a distinct possibility that that could be him.

“But I don’t want to finish his career for him. That will be up to Jamie and how his life develops in other ways, but you would suspect that there’s a good chance this could be it.”

Mcconville points out that criticism that Clarke previously received for leaving the panel has not been reciprocated elsewhere, such as in Dublin where Jack Mccaffrey and Paul Mannion have stepped away in recent times.

“It’s even more than that when you have somebody who supporters look to, a top, top player that Armagh is very reliant on,” said the 44-year-old.

“I don’t know if it’s the level of understanding or people are just hurt by the fact he’s gone, or realise the chances of us being successful are significantly diminished because he’s gone.

“It’s a lot more acceptable when other guys move away or decide to opt out for a year or two.

“But when it’s in a county like Armagh, or other counties, it seems to be a lot more frowned upon.”

›› Former Armagh and Crossmaglen Rangers GAA player Oisin Mcconville in Crossmaglen during the Extern Problem Gambling Media Day For more details, see