Griffin answers intermediate call

FORMER All-star hurler Tony Griffin has thrown his lot in with the Clare intermediate squad and
will be part of the panel in training for the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway on Saturday, August 13.
Clare manager Kevin Kennedy confirmed to The Clare Champion on Wednesday that the Ballyea man “is on the way back”.
The news of Griffin’s return came hours after the panel was dealt a huge blow when Daire Keane picked up a serious hand injury playing for his club, Kilmaley, in a challenge game against Ahane from Limerick.
Keane, who scored 1-2 in last week’s Munster final win over Limerick, suffered a broken wrist in the weekend challenge and has his hand in plaster as a result. He is likely to be out of action for four to six weeks.
“It looks like he is out and he will certainly be a massive loss,” team manager Kennedy said this week. “I will be meeting Tony later but he is on the way back. It’s great to have another experienced man to come into the squad,” the St Joseph’s club manager said.
“We are presently trying to arrange a challenge game but it’s hard to get all the players together as the clubs are also preparing for the upcoming championship games,” Kennedy added.
As to the venue for their eagerly awaited semi-final clash, Kennedy said, “We have confirmed that we are prepared to toss for venue but Galway have yet to indicate if they will go down this road. At first they said they would but then said they would have to go to a meeting for a decision. We are awaiting news of the outcome of the meeting,” the Clare boss added.