Nicky O'Connell, one of the Clare hurlers caught up in the recent humiliation row, has returned to the panel after making an apology to the squad over the weekend.

The Irish Independent reports this morning that O'Connell has rejoined the panel after initiating contact with Davy Fitzgerald last week and has apparently distanced himself from the comments of Davy O'Halloran in this newspaper a month ago.

O’Connell, 25, has been part of the Clare squad since 2010. He was centre-back on the 2010 All-Ireland Under-21 title-winning team of 2010 and featured in all but two of Clare’s games on their way to the 2013 senior All-Ireland.

His brother Cathal had also been disciplined initially but returned to the panel in short order and this move leaves O’Halloran isolated with apparently little hope of a return.

Clare open their Munster Championship campaign against Limerick in Semple Stadium on May 24th.