Clare followers' worst fears were realised last night when inspirational captain Anthony Daly announced he is more than likely quitting the intercounty scene. The Clarecastle man revealed that he had been given an ultimatium by new manager Cyril Lyons to either rejoin or quit the panel before the end of the month, and it looks likely that he will opt for the latter. The juggling of his business commitments plus the recent birth of his second daughter means that spare time is a scarce commodity for Daly these days. "I have no time at the moment and haven't been sure of what to do all year," revealed the two times All-Ireland winning captain. "I haven't made up my mind 100 per cent but I have been finding it difficult to go to training. "It has been really hectic. I have been out with a knee injury, my wife is on maternity leave and I have a lot of business commitments. I have spoken to Cyril Lyons and he knows the situation and has told me that he has to know what my decision is at the end of the month. "As soon as the evenings start to lenghten you would want to be involved, but I'm going to have to give it some time and it probably would be my last year If I do go back." Since making his championship debut against Limerick in 1990, Daly has been one of the Banner County's most consistent performers. He is, of course, best remembered for his rousing speeches following the county's ground breaking successes in the mid-nineties. The loss of such a talismanic figure will be a big blow to a county desperate to return to the Munster and All-Ireland winners enclosure. Tweet

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