Clare's hurlers look likely to lose forward Shane O'Donnell for the 2019 season.
The 2013 All-Ireland Hurling Final hero has received a Fulbright scholarship to study at Harvard from next September.
He recently completed a degree in genetics in UCC.
Congratulations to @townhurler Shane O'Donnell @Quercus_UCC Sports Scholar Alumni & @UCC PhD student, on being awarded a @Fulbright_Eire Scholarship to Harvard in September 2018. Fantastic News Shane!! We are so proud of you. @UCC @SEFSUCC @UCCSport @johbees @UCCAlumNetwork pic.twitter.com/u6IBwEf9wT
— QuercusUCC (@Quercus_UCC) March 22, 2018
The Fulbright scholarship scheme facilitates students from around the world to study in America and for Americans to pursue their studies in other countries.
Meanwhile, Mayo will be without former Footballer of the Year Lee Keegan for their Connacht Senior Football quarter-final against rivals Galway.
The defender is set for two months on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated shoulder in their loss to Tyrone.
Star forward Cillian O'Connor will also miss this weekend's bottom-of-the-table Division One League clash with Donegal with a hamstring tear but it's understood he'll be back for the Galway match.