JAMIE CLARKE SAYS he has no immediate plans to return and resume his Armagh career and that at the moment he sees his future in New York.
The 28-year old was devastated when they were pipped by Leitrim in the Connacht SFC on Sunday but his intention is to stay in the Big Apple and could be available for them again next year.
The news will be a big blow to his club Crossmaglen Rangers and Armagh fans, with Clarke on Sunday displaying some of the awesome touches that the Orchard County will miss this summer.
Clarke was one of the last players to emerge from the New York dressing room on Sunday evening after they were pipped in extra-time by Leitrim by 0-19 to 1-15.
Nearly two hours passed by the time a dejected Clarke emerged from the dressingroom after digesting just how close New York had come to their first ever win in 20 years of trying in the Connacht championship.
“It is devastating to be honest. We gathered here in December, we have players from all over the country, and I think when we got together we set out our stall and what we really wanted to do and what we wanted to achieve as a team.
“It goes beyond this game but I think a lot of the boys did themselves proud. We had a couple of American kids playing as well.
“But for myself I’m more than disappointed because as the so-called marquee forward I missed several opportunities and probably should have won the game. I got a few but when you play at the top level you’re expected to nail them,” he said.
Clarke said the biggest obstacle that New York face is the lack of game-time and he is hopeful the GAA can come up with some way which will give them more competitive matches and allow them develop.
“I think the big thing was when we went there six or seven points up we just hadn’t enough games in terms of our game management and that’s what we were lacking probably.
“Listen, we had our chances and fair dues to Leitrim they managed to dog it out in the end. You’ve got to give credit where credit is due and they kept fighting when their backs were against the wall.
“If we had have gotten through I think it was Roscommon and then whatever happened we had another game after that. We just need games.”
Clarke is pursuing a number of career options in New York, including working in fashion, while he is also coaching underage players in the city.
His plan is to remain in New York, continue to play football and pursue a variety of career options.
“That’s the plan. My plan is to be here but it’s visa dependent. I have other options career wise. I’m involved in a few things. I’m involved in fashion out here. I’m working for one of the managers as well and just trying to get a few extra pounds together. Listen, it’s a great lifestyle.
“I’ll stay around this summer and help out of the under 14, under 16 and under 21s and obviously share my knowledge and try and improved things.
“It’s great out here and ultimately I’m a championship footballer and to lose is devastating. It’s hard to take to be honest,” he added.
Clarke will, of course, keep a close eye on Armagh’s progress this summer and said he himself would love to play in the Super 8s.
“Armagh look to be in great shape and I’m excited for them. They’ve lost a lot of players and it’s not easy on them, particularly myself, but these decisions have to be made in life.
“It wasn’t easy but hopefully Armagh can get there (Super 8s) and it will be brilliant for the county because it would be another big step in the right direction for Armagh.”
New York manager Justin O’Halloran said he hopes Clarke will remain in the Big Apple and play for them in next year’s championship when Mayo will make the trip to Gaelic Park.
“We’re hoping he stays around. He’s a brilliant lad. Obviously, he is a great footballer but he is also a great teammate and a great role model. He pushes everyone on, tries to get them to be the best they can. We think he is supposed to be staying around and we just hope that he does.”
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Cork look to be the weakest team going into the Munster Championship this year. I really fear for us. The ground better dry up fast if we’re to have any hope.
Think Tipp will win the AI this year. Only lost to Galway by a point last year and were no where near their best.
Fair play to Limerick for going 10 games unbeaten.
@Munsterman: serious talent on that limerick side. Promising future ahead for limerick hopefully. Always were my second team outside of where im from.
Great win but the best is still to come.
Very hard to predict Tipps championship 15 now. Serious squad
What pissed many of us off was limerick v tipp just after munster v toulon, if the game was played today instead of last night after the munster v toulon game the attendance would have been double, i would have gone to thurles my self today, but no they played the game in thurles on a saturday night, i can not make out weather it was stupid or done on purpose.
@ktsiwot: who’s us? They could have moved the Munster game to today too!!
@Joe Kennedy: The Munster match was watched by millions around the world, I suspect it had more of a pull.
@Munsterman: haha….millions?! There was billions watching the hurling I believe!
@Joe Kennedy: I am from limerick and would have gone to that game if on today, was at thomond for what has an incredible match and atmosphere.
Many I know were in the same situation as well as many I met last night watching the match from both Limerick and Tipp.
They fixed that match last monday, they lost attendance and money, many were discussing it last night and could not get over the stupidity of it.
The majority of people follow all sport and not stuck to a specific mindset.
@Joe Kennedy: yes joe it is a european cup the pop of uk, france and ireland is well over 100 million, it is not stretching it to say a million saw the game. Nearly every one I new saw that match more so than the hurling match which was also brilliant.
@ktsiwot: excuses excuses. I made both comfortably. Even had time to stop in borrisoleigh for a hot chicken roll
@Tadhg Keating: good man Tadhg. Fair play.
@ktsiwot: he said “millions around the world” though!! Three European countries = the World does it?! Doesn’t matter anyway….was just laughing at the exaggeration. I follow all sports myself too by the way. Everyone I knew had no interest in the rugby…..not sure what that’s got to do with anything though!! Finally, as Tadhg said…. you could have made both if you really wanted to anyway no?
@Joe Kennedy: this match was broadcasted all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I’m not at all exaggerating when I said millions watched it.
@Munsterman: haha… ah come off it!! Throw up your source for your stats there! How do you know how many watched it in those countries?!
@ktsiwot: typical privileged rugby fanboy comment. They could just as easily moved the rugby match to Sunday or even Monday but of course no one can even suggest that. The games clash so it’s the GAA’s fault. End of story.
We will win no All Ireland with Barry fullback. He is a disaster, wrong side of his man all night, no idea how to defend and running around in circles. No one else given a chance at fullback apart from Hamill who we also know is too slow. Puckouts major issue aswell, embarrassing watching last night, not 1 Tipp player able to catch a ball, even standing on their own they stick the Hurley up to knock the ball down instead of catching it. Put your hand up for christ sake and catch the ball.
@Wedger: WHEN I PLAYED hurling no one had the nerve to put their hand up.IT WAS FAR TOO DANGEROUS..
@Michael Heery: me too. Many a finger bone popped out of place from getting a smack catching the ball. Miss that on a freezing sunday morning. Used to love getting bones clicked back into place. Seriously tough game! Tipp have some panel. Hard to look past them come business end of the season.