CAPTAIN PATRICK O’CONNOR and key forward Conor McGrath will mark their comebacks for Clare from injury in Thurles on Sunday, after being named to start in the Munster semi-final against Limerick.
The pair missed the entire league campaign due to shoulder injuries and have been selected for their first competitive appearance of 2017.
O’Connor will start at left corner-back while McGrath is selected at full-forward.
The inclusion of that duo is part of four changes to the Clare team that defeated Dublin in April’s league relegation play-off in Ennis.
Wing-back Gearoid O’Connell, part of the Ballyea side who contested the All-Ireland club final on St Patrick’s Day last, and corner-forward Shane O’Donnell are also drafted in by joint managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor.
Cian Dillon, Brendan Bugler, Jamie Shanahan and Cathal McInerney all drop to the bench.
Clare
1. Andrew Fahy (Whitegate)
2. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
3. David McInerney (Tulla)
4. Patrick O’Connor (Tubber – captain)
5. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
6. Conor Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
7. Gearóid O’Connell (Ballyea)
8. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
9. David Reidy (Éire Óg Inis)
10. Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
11. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
12. John Conlon (Clonlara)
13. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
14. Conor McGrath (Cratloe)
15. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg Inis)
Subs
16. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
17. Cian Dillon (Crusheen)
18. Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge)
19. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
20. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
21. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
22. Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
23. Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
24. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
25. Cathal McInerney (Cratloe)
26. Brendan Bugler (Whitegate)
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6 goals from midfield in a relegated team is impressive. He needs to get back to Celtic and push for a starting place, tough competition there.
Good experience for him with the international set up though.
@Bert Carolan: we all know the track record on Irish players in Celtic think he’s far better to get out of there. As a player he seems to tick a lot of boxes as a solid midfielder so with a bit of luck he can make the step up at international level, attract a bit of interest and secure a transfer to a bigger club like Ogbene did.
@Aprior: The track record for Irish players might not be great at Celtic but a lot of Irish players go there, obviously there is going to be a lot of failures. You’re going to have a few Johnny Kenny’s for every Liam scales.
Utd and Pool combined have only Kelleher come through in last 10 years. Probably some Irish lads go to Celtic when they should go to a lower profile club.
@Aprior: He’ll surely get his chance preseason, best of luck to him anyway.
@Aprior: I disagree with this comment. Look at the season just had by Liam Scales and Adam Idah. I also hope Celtic fork out the required amount and sign Idah permanently or else he can return to Norwich reserves and you can continue your narrative about the Irish at Celtic. Nobody has the divine right to a jersey, that has to be earned. It also must be remembered that prior to this Lawal was seen as a defender, an average one it was a recent conversion at Fleetwood to his original position of CDM has brought the best out of him. A position both Celtic and Ireland need depth in.
Hopefully he gets a run out tomorrow night. A future star can play as a defender or a midfielder very comfortable on the ball. Best of luck Bosun.
Got to expect Jake O Brien to get a game or 2 he’s out in form Centre back we have