Honan back in action

DARACH Honan made his return to the playing fields when he was introduced as a substitute during a match involving a Clare B selection and Galway at Cusack Park on Monday evening.

Clare and Galway played A and B games behind closed doors at the Clare headquarters. The games completed a weekend in which the Clare squad participated in a three-day training camp based in Adare.
Clonlara’s Honan has been out of hurling since last summer. In the autumn, he underwent operations on both of his hips and only returned to light training a few weeks ago.
“It’s great to get back but the lads have a lot done and I am a bit behind,” said the UCC student, who has just finished his exams. “I have done a good bit in the past week and I was with the team at the training camp at the weekend. I am still a long way off the pace that is required and, to be honest, I am a bit sore at the moment.
“However, I am improving and hopefully I will get to play a bit with the club in the next few weeks, which will help,” he said.
Honan admitted it was difficult not being able to play. “I was waiting a long time and to have played a bit on Monday was a good first step. I enjoyed the training camp at the weekend and it’s full steam ahead now, hopefully,” he said, while admitting, “the Waterford game looks to be a bit soon but hopefully, I will be ready in the not-too-distant future”.
Ballyea’s Tony Kelly played at midfield for the Clare B side on Monday, increasing speculation that he will play some part in the Munster semi-final against Waterford. A Leaving Certificate pupil at St Flannan’s College, he renewed his midfield partnership with Clonlara’s Colm Galvin. The duo were key to Clare’s Munster minor success last season.
Another plus for Clare in Monday’s games was the return of last year’s captain Pat Vaughan, who lined out at corner-back in the B team.
The A game that followed on Monday was refereed by Tipperary’s Johnnie Ryan and resulted in a two-point win for Galway, 2-19 to 0-23. Joe Canning suffered a recurring shoulder injury during the game and was forced to retire.
With just over two weeks to go to the Munster semi-final clash with Waterford, it’s understood another challenge is planned for this week when the management will be hoping James McInerney will return after a hand injury. It is understood some changes were made to the panel this week, with up to five being let go from the squad.
In the A game, the teams lined out as follows:
Clare: Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, Conor Cooney; Patrick O’Connor, Enda Barrett, Brendan Bugler; Nicky O’Connell, Pat Donnellan; Fergal Lynch, Jonathon Clancy, John Conlon; Sean Collins, Conor McGrath, Colin Ryan.
Galway: Fergal Flannery; David Collins, Kevin Hynes, Fergal Moore; Paul Gordon, Tony Óg Regan, Johnnie Coen; Iarlaith Tannian, Andy Smith; David Burke, Niall Burke, Cyril Donnellan; Damian Hayes, Joe Canning, Davy Glennon.
The Clare team that started in the B game was: Donal Tuohy; Pat Vaughan, Patrick Kelly, Eamonn Glynn; Cathal Chaplin, Brian O’Connell, Liam Markham; Tony Kelly, Colm Galvin; Caimin Morey, Paudge Collins, Diarmuid McMahon; Cathal McInerney, Aaron Cumingham, Daire Keane.