Banner row sees former All Star Griffin bow out

THE dispute between players and management in Clare has claimed its first victim with former All Star Tony Griffin retiring from intercounty hurling.

Griffin (28) admits that a lack of ‘confidence in the current management structure’ coupled with work commitments are the reasons behind his decision to walk away from the top flight.

The Banner’s 2009 squad remain opposed to Mike McNamara and his management team of Ollie Baker and Alan Cunningham remaining in place next year though the trio received the backing of the county board executive last week.