Brendan Bugler says the demands on his time while hurling for Clare in 2017 - especially endless team meetings - left him "mentally drained".

Bugler (32) announced his retirement from intercounty hurling in October and he reveals that the one-size-fits-all approach to training was part of the reason why he decided to step aside after eleven years of service to the Banner:

"I sometimes wonder do GAA managements understand that, as guys go through their twenties, they pick up responsibilities. Therefore, should there be a one-size-fits-all approach to training? I don't believe so," the 2013 All-Ireland winner writes in a column for aib.ie.

"In 2017, time constraints hit a new high and, as a result, I became mentally drained. We could have gym on Monday night (which we would have to attend) with a meeting maybe before and after, then training on Tuesday, gym Thursday and training again Friday - with, more than likely, more meetings. Then we had games too.

"You can imagine how understanding a partner has to be to accept that, and even moreso when kids have to be factored in. Never mind actually doing all of the above, and sitting through meeting after meeting. Men playing senior hurling at the top level are mature enough to take personal responsibility for their own game. I would much have preferred to analyse my own game and the team's game in the luxury of my sitting room rather than in a cold damp room either before or after training. I simply hated these meetings.

"Players that have been around eight or nine years know what is takes to get themselves right for those big games. I look at the way Davy managed Tony Browne. There was no-one-size-fits-all approach there. He knew he would be right come championship. What's being asked now of older players is huge, and I have to say I am not missing the hard slog this time year. Other things in life have taken centre stage."

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