By Seamus Hayes

The centre forward position on the Clare team, named on Saturday evening, to play Galway in the opening round of the Allianz hurling league (division 1 A) at Pearse Stadium this Sunday afternoon has been left vacant.

It was widely anticipated that Ballyea’s Tony Kelly would be selected to lead the attack but the U. L. student is one of eight panelists named as being unavailable for this game due to injury. Also ruled out are David McInerney, Peter Duggan, Darach Honan, Nicky O’Connell, Jamie Shanahan, Davy O’Halloran and Eoin Enright.

Clarecastle’s Bobby Duggan is believed to be in the running to fill the vacancy while Conor McGrath, a surprising omission from the starting line up, is also believed to be in contention.

The team named is Patrick Kelly; Domhnaill O’Donovan, Cian Dillon, Jack Browne; Conor Cleary, Conor Ryan, Pat O’Connor; Brendan Bugler, Colin Ryan; Pat Donnellan, A.N.\ Other, Colm Galvin; John Conlon, Shane O’Donnell, David Reidy.