Collins to face a late fitness test

THERE will be late fitness tests for Sean Collins and Enda Barrett before the Clare team to play Waterford in the provincial senior hurling semi-final on Sunday is named on this Friday evening.

 

Cratloe man Collins is the main doubt having picked up a hamstring injury in a challenge game against Cork at Fermoy last week. He will have a final test on Friday but remains a major doubt. If, as expected, Collins fails to recover in time, it may open the door for his younger brother Paudge who is believed to be pushing very strongly for a place in the team. Brought into the panel a month back, he is reported to be ‘flying’ in training. He is expected to play at some stage on Sunday.

“The lads have trained hard in preparation for this game and it’s all down to the day now,” team manager Davy Fitzgerald told The Clare Champion this week. “The work has been put in and I could not have asked for any more from the players,” he added.

While he didn’t elaborate on what the team line-up will be, it’s expected that it will be similar to that which played in the league semi-final against Kilkenny. The main speculation concerns the make up of the attack.

Clarecastle’s Jonathon Clancy is expected to be in the starting line-up while John Conlon, Conor McGrath and Colin Ryan appear certain of inclusion. Barring injury Sean Collins will also be in the line-up that leaves one position to be filled.

The view is that Fergal Lynch will get the nod ahead of Enda Barrett for this spot.

Whatever starting 15 is decided on, its likely that there will be positional switches from what will appear on the programme, particularly in relation to the forward line.

The probable line-up is: Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona); Domhnaill O’Donovan (Clonlara), Cian Dillon (Crusheen), Conor Cooney (O’Callaghan’s Mills); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate) James McInerney (Newmarket) Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Nicky O’Connell (Clonlara), Pat Donnellan (O’Callaghan’s Mills, capt); John Conlon (Clonlara), Sean Collins (Cratloe) or Enda Barrett (Newmarket), Fergal Lynch (Clooney-Quin); Jonathon Clancy (Clarecastle), Conor McGrath (Cratloe), Colin Ryan (Newmarket).

Aaron Cunningham (Wolfe Tones) and Darach Honan (Clonlara) are believed to be strongly in the running to come into the action at some stage. It’s thought likely that Ballyea’s Tony Kelly won’t be considered for action on this occasion as he is on the injured list and still has some Leaving Certificate exams to complete next week.