*Diarmuid Ryan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
EIGHT members of the starting team from the Clare side which lost out to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final last July are named in the first fifteen for the county’s opening round of the Allianz National Hurling League.
Clare welcome Cork to Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon with captain Tony Kelly and Ryan Taylor ruled out for the league campaign.
Eibhear Quilligan, Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Diarmuid Ryan, David McInerney, Cathal Malone, David Fitzgerald and Mark Rodgers all started in Clare’s three point All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kilkenny last season and are named to feature from the off in the first round of the NHL at home to Pat Ryan’s Cork.
Darragh Lohan has been handed a first NHL start. The Wolfe Tones defender is currently lining out at full-back for UL in the Fitzgibbon Cup and is named at half-back in a line that has Diarmuid Ryan on the opposite flank and David McInerney at centre back.
Shane Meehan is also impressing in the third-level competition for Mary Immaculate College, he is named at corner forward alongside sharpshooters Mark Rodgers and Aidan McCarthy.
Broadford’s Paddy Donnellan has previous experience of playing in midfield in the NHL and management are giving him another opportunity in the centre of the park where he will partner Cathal Malone.
Robin Mounsey is named at centre forward with David Fitzgerald and David Reidy on either side of him. Conor Cleary anchors the defence at full-back with Adam Hogan and Paul Flanagan on either side of him with Eibhear Quilligan in goals.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: David McInerney (Tulla)
7: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
12: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
13: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
14: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
15: Shane Meehan (Banner)
Subs:
16: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
18: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
19: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
20: Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe)
21: John Conneally (Clooney/Quin)
22: Sean Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
23: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
24: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
25: Colm O’Meara (Clonlara)
26: Keith Smyth (Killanena)
