*Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
JOHN CONLON, CONOR Cleary and David McInerney have all been named to start in Clare’s team to take on Kilkenny in the All-Ireland senior hurling final.
Conlon sustained a head injury in the comprehensive quarter-final win over Dublin but returns to the centre back spot where he will be flanked by Diarmuid Ryan and David McInerney. Tulla’s McInerney missed out on the Dublin clash through injury but has been given the all-clear by medics to line out in the Brian Lohan managed team.
After six weeks sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, Conor Cleary is on course to return to the Clare defence at full-back. The Miltown Malbay had resumed contact training in the past fortnight and sees the back-line at full-strength for the first time since the final game in the Munster round robin series. Adam Hogan and Rory Hayes join him in the full-back line with Eibhear Quilligan between the posts.
These returns to the defensive fold see Seadna Morey and Darragh Lohan drop to the bench.
Aidan McCarthy who had been the chief injury doubt is not named in Clare’s team or listed substitutes. His absence sees Ian Galvin rewarded with a starting jersey for the second game in a row, he forms part of the Clare attack along with captain Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers, Shane O’Donnell, Peter Duggan and David Fitzgerald with Ryan Taylor and Cathal Malone in the middle third.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: David McInerney (Tulla)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
10: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
11: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
12: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
13: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
14: Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)
15: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
Subs:
16: Eamonn Foudy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
17: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
18: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
19: Cian Nolan (Smith O’Briens)
20: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
21: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
22: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
23: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
24: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
25: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
26: Shane Meehan (Banner)
