FORMER ARMAGH STAR and All-Ireland winner Oisin McConville says that Jamie Clarke is right to travel and leave Gaelic football behind him if it’s what he wants in life.
It was reported yesterday that the All-Star nominee has opted out of the Orchard county’s set-up for 2018, and is planning to travel long-term again.
The 28-year-old forward was absent for last weekend’s Armagh SFC semi-final as his club Crossmaglen Rangers lost out to Maghery. It’s said that he’s in Australia, working in Melbourne.
And his clubmate McConville believes that the decision is right for Clarke, if that’s where he’ll find happiness.
“Football for me was a massive part of my life when I was playing and I loved every minute of it,” he told RTE Sport.
“Then when I finished up I found that I enjoyed other things outside of football as well.
“Jamie seems to be seeking something outside of football and I have always said — if something brings you happiness in life you should go for it. Life is more important than football, no matter what Bill Shankly said.”
McConville, who helped Armagh to All-Ireland glory in 2002 and has won six club crowns with Cross, admits that he will be a loss to Kieran McGeeney’s charges.
This year, Clarke returned from New York and was pivotal as the Ulster county reached the All-Ireland quarter-final but fell at that stage to provincial champions Tyrone.
“It will definitely be a blow to Armagh,” said McConville of Clarke’s departure.
“In Cross we haven’t seen much of him for the past five years or so because he has been away, but to lose a player like him from any team is pretty devastating.
“Armagh had an encouraging year for the first time in a long time, albeit on that ended with a bit of a beating off Tyrone, and there was a lot of enthusiasm there. I thought that feeling would make sure everyone would buy into the thing.”
McConville has echoed the words of former Armagh manager Paul Grimely, who said that Clarke will be a ‘major loss,’ but he can’t be criticised for doing what’s right for him.
“Jamie is an absolutely great lad,” he said yesterday. “I always had plenty of time for him, still do.
“But he has a different outlook on life in general, as opposed to your run of the mill county player. He can’t be lambasted for that – that’s his own choice and good luck to him.
“In fairness to him, there are a lot of lads taking the same option, taking a year out to travel or whatever it may be. He’s searching for something else in life – and I hope he finds it.”
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Well done Meath. Great game. Excellent advertisement for Ladies GAA.
Hard luck, Kayleigh, and the rest of the Kerry team. Better luck next year.
@Padraig O Muirthile: the skill in that game was better than any game in gaa this year hurling football or whatever
Fabulous game, that’s a great Meath team. A joy to watch their passing, no glory hunters, all full team players.
Congratulations great game of football
@Derek hutchings: Not sure about it being a great game. Outside of their opening burst of scores Kerry only scored 5 times for the rest of the game. That’s about 1 score every 10 minutes.
Super defensive showing by Meath but Kerry looked decidedly naive. Kerry will learn from today (both management & players) and will be better if they reach the final again next year.
Am I the the only one who thought referee was officious and ruined many aspects of the game by not applying the advantage. It was a great game which could have been much better if allowed flow.
@Liam O’Flaherty: Maggie does always try make the game about her. When she does linesperson the ref spends most of the game getting called over by Maggie.
@Michael Anthony: as a neutral I thought she ruined what could have been a classic. Both teams must have been frustrated by her.
@Liam O’Flaherty: I thought that as well I think the GAA need to change some of the rules like not been able to do a fair shoulder and tackle a player most of those players if not all go to the gym so would be able for the rough and tumble of the game that’s what ruined it for me
Some team
Great game much better fare than last week
Congrats to meath. Was I the only one who thought it was a poor game
Time to split Meath
@Glen Durney: We could call them Meath & Westmeath
@Cian Mac Eoin: what about East Meath?
@Eugene O Doherty: north Meath. Capital oldcastle
In the first minute Farrelly gave 2 frees against Meath for charging and both were blatant trips. She kept this consistency up throughout the game and did her best to ruin it. It’s almost like a feather in cap for ladies football refs to send Vicki Wall off. Gets pulled and dragged all day, every day and gets sin binned for the abuse she takes.
Great game, thought Emma Duggan was unlucky not to get player of the game
It’s time to split Meath. East Meath and… oh hold on
That’s the tender Palace niteclub ruined again overrun again by red face, un-maked-up ‘ladies’ of sport wearing their sports kit on ze dance floor.