Thus ended Clare's involvement in the championship. On 8 February 2009 Clare started their NHL campaign they lost to Limerick 1–18 to 3–13. On 15 February they lost to Waterford 0–13 to 0–20. On 1 March they lost to Tipperary 0–16 to 0–23. On 22 March Clare lost to the Cork panel who were just back from being on strike the final score was 0–16 to 2–14. On 29 March they played Kilkenny and lost 1–09 to 3–16. On 5 April Clare drew with Dublin 0–15 to 0–15 because of this it meant that Clare were relegated. On Drivetime Sport the following Monday Mike McNamara said that Clare will not play NHL Division 2 next year against the likes of Antrim and Carlow. On 19 April Clare lost their last game of the NHL against Galway the score was 0–19 4–16. Gerry Quinn had been left out of the Clare Hurling Panel. On 20 March 2009 Gerry Quinn went to visit the Clare Team Doctor Dr Paraic Quinn in Gurteen because he had been laid low with a virus. According to Quinn he rang Mike Mc on the way and informed him about the situation regarding his illness and his desire to meet Paraic Quinn. Quinn then claimed that Mike Mc cut loose at him on the phone. Nevertheless, Quinn was hopeful that things could be worked out when he arrived at the session and after asking McNamara whether the doctor was around, Quinn was informed that he was off the panel. On TG4 the day of the match Mike Mc was asked was Gerry Quinn still on the panel, McNamara gave no comment and when he was asked was there a drinking ban he gave no comment. In October 2009, McNamara's tenure as Clare hurling manager looked to be under threat after it emerged the players had sent a letter to the County Board seeking his removal from the post. It appears that the players were disappointed with the county's lack of progress in 2009. The panel requested that the unsigned letter be read out at a County Board meeting on 27 October 2009. At the meeting on 27 October 2009, the Clare county board gave McNamara their full backing despite the growing opposition from some players. On 1 November 2009, the hurling panel produced a vote of no confidence in McNamara to continue as manager. After a Clare County Board meeting in Ennis on 10 November 2009, McNamama made a stirring address, confirming his desire to stay in place as manager of the Banner hurlers, reflecting on the progress made in 2009 and outlining his plans for next season.