*Tony Kelly is back in the Clare team. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
BRIAN LOHAN has named his strongest Clare team of the year ahead of Sunday’s third round National Hurling League clash with Wexford.
Tony Kelly, John Conlon, Paul Flanagan and Ryan Taylor are all set to make their first appearances of the 2023 Allianz NHL.
Eight changes in personnel are made from the Clare side which suffered a 1-27 2-18 defeat at the hands of Limerick a fortnight ago.
Eamonn Foudy, Adam Hogan, Paul Flanagan, John Conlon, Brandon O’Connell, Ryan Taylor, Tony Kelly and David Reidy are all handed starting jerseys.
Making way as a result are Eibhear Quilligan, Rory Hayes, Seadna Morey, David McInerney, Aaron Fitzgerald, Paddy Donnellan, David Conroy and Mark Rodgers. Both McInerney and Donnellan are not included in the matchday twenty six for what will be Clare’s first trip outside the province this year.
Conlon enters the fray at centre back with Kelly named at wing forward while Cathal Malone is pushed to centre-forward allowing for a midfield partnership of Taylor and David Fitzgerald.
Conor Cleary is at the heart of a new look full-back line which includes Flanagan and Adam Hogan while Brandon O’Connell joins Conlon and Diarmuid Ryan in front of them.
Darragh Egan’s Wexford side has yet to be announced.
Chadwick’s Wexford Park hosts Sunday’s tie which has a start time of 1:45pm.
Clare:
1: Eamonn Foudy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: Brandon O’Connell (Ballyea)
8: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
9: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
10: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
12: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
13: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
14: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
15: David Reidy (Éire Óg).
Subs:
16: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
17: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
18: Cian Nolan (Smith O’Briens)
19: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
20: Davy Conroy (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield)
21: Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)
22: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
23: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
24: Oran Cahill (Éire Óg)
25: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
26: Aron Shanaher (Wolfe Tones)
