*Ryan Taylor. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
RYAN TAYLOR will make his first appearance of the year for the Clare senior hurlers in the only confirmed change to the starting team for Sunday’s Munster Hurling Cup final.
Clooney/Quin’s Taylor gains a starting position at the expense of Aron Shanagher at full-forward. Fresh from scoring a hat-trick of goals for UL in the Fitzgibbon Cup, Mark Rodgers continues at corner forward along with Gary Cooney of O’Callaghans Mills. Shanagher is not listed among the subs for the 2pm game.
David McInerney was due to start the five point semi-final win over Waterford but did not finish the warm-up and was replaced by Darragh Lohan. The 2013 All Star is named at wing back once again for the pre-season clash with John Kiely’s Limerick. Paddy Donnellan and Jack Browne are set to continue their midfield partnership.
The Clare Echo understands that there will be changes to the first fifteen released via Club Clare on Friday evening.
Clare boss, Brian Lohan is without the trio of Ian Galvin, Darren O’Brien and Bradley Higgins, they were intended to be part of Sunday’s panel. There is some good news in that Clarecastle’s Cian Galvin is in line for a return to action, the former Clare minor captain missed all of last season’s championship through injury. Ruan’s Robin Mounsey and Patrick Crotty of Scariff are listed among the substitutes for the first time.
Earlier on Friday, Limerick announced their team with three changes from the side which inflicted a heavy semi-final win over Kerry. Kiely brings three experienced players into the fold, namely All Stars Gearoid Hegarty and William O’Donoghue plus Kilmallock’s Paddy O’Loughlin who is set to make his first start since a February 2020 Allianz League win over Cork.
Both Brian O’Grady and Conor Boylan drop out of the starting line-up and are listed among the substitutes. Mark Quinlan drops out of the panel due to injury, while Patrick O’Donovan is also absent from the matchday panel.
An attendance of 8,000 will be allowed to attend Sunday’s Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling Cup Final following removal of COVID-19 restrictions. Tickets can be obtained via this LINK.
CLARE:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: Jason McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
7: David McInerney (Tulla)
8: Jack Browne (Ballyea)
9: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
10: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
11: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
12: Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
13: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
14: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
15: Gary Cooney (O’Callaghans Mills)
16: Éamonn Foudy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
17: Shane Meehan (Banner)
18: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
19: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
20:
21: Domhnall McMahon (Michael Cusack’s)
22: Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
23: Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)
24: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
25: Mike Gough (Smith O’Brien’s)
26: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
LIMERICK:
1: David McCarthy (Glenroe)
2: Barry Nash (South Liberties)
3: Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
4: Richie English (Doon)
5: Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown)
6: Ronan Connolly (Adare)
7: Paddy O’Loughlin (Kilmallock)
8: Rory Duff (Mungret St Pauls)
9: William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsiagh)
10: Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister)
11: David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
12: Gearoid Hegarty (St Patricks)
13: Darren O’Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
14: Pat Ryan (Doon)
15: Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock).
Subs:
16: Nickie Quaid (Effin)
17: Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
18: Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell)
19: Adam English (Doon)
20: Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon)
21: Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
22: Brian O’Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen).