Clare begin defence of Munster minor title

Clare minor hurling manager Eamonn Fennessy and his selectors Kenny Morrissey, Leo Doyle and John O’Meara have had to plan without a number of players for next Wednesday’s Munster Minor Championship first round clash with Waterford, a game that will take place at Cusack Park, Ennis at 7pm.
Jamie Shanahan, a member of the side for the past two years, is out because of a shoulder injury he picked up when playing for Sixmilebridge in the opening round of the U-21 Hurling Championship. He hasn’t played since although he took part in the puck around before last Friday’s U-21 semi-final.
Shane Kelleher from Newmarket is also ruled out due to an injury he picked up when playing for his club in the U-21 championship against Kilmaley. Clarecastle’s Conor Clancy is ruled out due to a shoulder injury, while Kilmihil native Martin O’Leary, who hurls with Ballyea, is another who will miss the game due to a leg injury suffered in the course of the U-21 Hurling Championship. He also missed the opening round of the Munster Minor Football Championship.
The Clare team for Wednesday’s game won’t be finalised until Monday evening. “There are a number of players involved in this week’s U-21 hurling finals and, naturally, we will be keeping our fingers crossed that all will come through without injury,” said Fennessy.
Clonlara’s Shane O’Brien (pictured) was appointed as team captain earlier this week. He was corner-back in last year’s team and will be in the full-back line next week. Feakle’s Eibhear Quilligan, last year’s goalkeeper, is expected to fill the position again this year with Clooney-Quin’s Keith Hogan as his understudy.
Amongst the dual players who are likely to see action are Conor Cleary from Miltown, who plays his hurling with Kilmaley, Aidan McGuane (Kilmaley) and cousins Niall Deasy (Ballyea) and Conor Deasy (Sixmilebridge).
Shane O’Donnell from Éire Óg is a survivor from last year, as is Shane Liddy from Newmarket who made an appearance in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Brian Corry (Sixmilebridge), Shane Taylor (Broadford), David Conroy (Doora-Barefield), Bobby Duggan (Clarecastle) and Cian Nolan from Smith O’Brien’s are amongst those pushing for places in the team for Wednesday’s game.
“Waterford have been installed as one of the favourites for the championship,” said Fennessy. “They have dominated colleges competitions for the past couple of seasons. We have seen them play in a few challenge games. Even though we are the defending champions, the pressure is on Waterford as they have to come to Ennis to play us.”
“We have been working hard since the start of the year but this Friday will be the first time that we will have a full panel at training. I would love if the U-21 championships had concluded earlier but there were a lot of draws. The clubs have been very supportive, both with making the players available and with providing facilities for training. The players have given a great response and we are looking forward to the game,” he added.
Team selector Kenny Morrissey from Clarecastle, a member of Clare’s All-Ireland winning panels from the ’90s is also looking forward to next week’s game.
“There is a lot more involved that people realise but the set up is very professional and the lads are great to work with. It’s completely different to adult level,” he said.
“All of the lads are willing to learn and they are more looking for advice than would be the case with seniors. It’s unfortunate that the rules are such that we can only tog-out 24 as all of the 30 or so on the panel have given everything in their effort to get into the squad,” Morrissey concluded.
Victory on Wednesday will put Clare into the provincial semi-finals which are set for June 29, a loss will mean Clare will be in the losers play-off a week later.