*Cathal O’Connor returns from injury. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
COLM COLLINS has named his starting fifteen for Clare’s crunch tie with Derry this Sunday in the Allianz National Football League.
Clare’s future in Division 2 remains up in the air with two rounds to play. Remarkably their first game on the road under Colm Collins in Division 2 was against Derry, they’ll hope the trip to Celtic Park isn’t their last away tie in this grade for some time.
A four game losing streak which is Clare’s worst run under Collins needs to be tackled as the Banner bid to retain their Division 2 status, securing one win in their last two games is essential to keep this hope alive while the more the points that can be obtained, the better.
Cathal O’Connor returns from injury and is named at midfield where he will partner Darragh Bohannon, the Coolmeen and Shannon Gaels men both play their club hurling with Ballyea.
O’Connor’s return is a plus but injury rules out Cian O’Dea for what will be his first omission from a Clare side in the NFL since making his championship debut in 2016.
Without the Kilfenora man, Clare still can call upon an experienced half-back line of Ciaran Russell, Pearse Lillis and Alan Sweeney. Stephen Ryan retains the goalkeeper’s jersey while the full-back is still comprised of Manus Doherty, Cillian Brennan and Ronan Lanigan.
Captain Eoin Cleary is flanked by Jamie Malone and Dermot Coughlan in the half-forward line while Keelan Sexton wears fourteen with Gavin Cooney and Emmet McMahon on either side.
Cillian Rouine’s inclusion among the substitutes for the first time this year is a welcome sight, the Lahinch man has been out of action since December.
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Cill Rois Seamróg)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg, Inis)
3: Cillian Brennan (Cluain Dá Ghad)
4: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg, Inis)
5: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg, Inis)
6: Pearse Lillis (Cuar an Chláir)
7: Alan Sweeney (Naomh Breacháin)
8: Cathal O’Connor (Cul Mhin)
9: Darragh Bohannon (Gael na Sionna)
10: Jamie Malone (Cora Finne)
11: Eoin Cleary (C) (Naomh Iosaif Sráid na Cathrach)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Cill Mhuire Uí Breachain)
13: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg, Inis)
14: Keelan Sexton (Cill Mhuire Uí Breachain)
15: Emmett McMahon (Cill an Dísirt)
16: David Sexton (Cill Mhuire Uí Breachain)
17: Ciarain Downes (Cill Mhichíl)
18: Micheal Garry (Cuar an Chláir)
19: Padraic Collins (Creathlach)
20: Aaron Griffin (Lios Uí Chathasaigh)
21: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg, Inis)
22: Darren Nagle (Lios Ceannúir)
23: Brendy Rouine (Inis Diomain)
24: Cillian Rouine (Inis Diomain)
25: Ikem Ugweru (Éire Óg, Inis)
26: Daniel Walsh (Cill Mhuire Uí Bhreacháin)
