Gilligan rejects offer of Banner return
All-Ireland winner Niall Gilligan has turned down an initial approach to link up with the Clare senior hurling panel for the 2010 campaign.
The Sixmilebridge clubman was absent from Monday night’s first official collective training session of the year and is understood to be taking more time out to consider his intercounty future.
Gilligan has been a key member of the Banner County set-up since making his debut in 1997 and has racked up over half a century of championship appearance.
Gilligan, 33, is Clare’s all-time leading championship goalscorer ahead of the legendary Jimmy Smyth and he captured an All-Ireland SHC medal in 1997.
Meanwhile, versatile Alan Markham has committed himself to the Clare cause for another season.
Markham, who made his championship debut in 1999, was present at the first session of the year along with defender Gerry Quinn, who was exiled last year under Mike McNamara’s management.
Quinn has accepted an invitation to return to the intercounty fold but Tony Griffin, who retired last year at just 28 years of age, is sticking by his decision for now citing work commitments.
Thirty-three players attended Monday first get-together and new boss Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has introduced a host of players from last year’s All-Ireland U21 winning team.
