CLARE: Clare's James O'Connor has announced his retirement from intercounty hurling, writes Seán Moran. One of the key figures in the team that won two All-Irelands in the 1990s, O'Connor was also hurler of the year in 1997, the season of the county's second All-Ireland, in which he scored the winning point.

A very skilled and quick player he played championship hurling for 12 years, mainly at wing forward. In addition to the intercounty distinctions he won with Clare, O'Connor was also an All Star in 1997, '98 and 2001 and a Players' All Star in 1995.

With his club St Joseph's Doora-Barefield, for whom he will continue to play, he won an All-Ireland club title in 1999 and two Munster championships.

CARLOW: Carlow will not participate in the O'Byrne Cup football competition in the New Year following a request from new manager Liam Hayes. They were to meet Westmeath on January 2nd. Hayes believes his squad have yet to train hard enough and a heavy defeat would be bad for morale.

GALWAY: Galway hurlers have been accused of a lack of respect by Ballindereen delegate Michael Kelly after only a handful of them turned up to collect their National League medals at the Hurling Board's annual dinner dance in Clarinbridge at the weekend.

"I bet they will all turn up when they are heading off on their holiday in the New Year which Galway Hurling Board are paying for it," Kelly said. "They will make the effort for that, yet they won't turn up to collect National League medals."

The Galway squad are going to South Africa in January for an eight-day break. Kelly added: "It will cost 1,500 per player and Galway Hurling Board are giving each squad member 500 spending money. Do these players realise how much is being spent on them, do they realise the effort it takes to raise that sort of money?"