CLARE will not finalise their starting line-up for Sunday’s league semi-final date with Tipperary before this Friday evening at the earliest.
Definitely out of the contest is Shane O’Donnell, who suffered a hamstring injury in training last week, while there are major doubts about Colm Galvin and his Clonlara clubmate, Cathal ‘Tots’ O’Connell.
According to manager Davy Fitzgerald, “Neither have trained since the Waterford game but we expect they will be back in training this week”.
There is also a doubt hovering over Tony Kelly but the expectation is he will be fit to play. Another who is on the doubtful list is Conor Cooney, who played at corner-back in the quarter-final. He suffered a hand injury while playing with his club last weekend.
On the credit side, Darach Honan is back in contention for a place. He played for his club last week and also lined out against Wexford in Rathdowney on Sunday evening.
In contrast, Tipperary expect to have a near full strength squad from which to pick, with the exception of the injured Lar Corbett, hurler of the year back in 2010.
Padraig Maher, Michael Cahill and Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher are available for Sunday’s eagerly-awaited fixture.
Clare’s defence is likely to be near the All-Ireland final line-up. It is unknown if Domhnall O’Donovan will be in the line-up, as the Clonlara man’s training has been disrupted by work commitments. Amongst those who have seen action during the league are Seadna Morey, Paul Flanagan and Jack Browne.
If Galvin is not fit to return, the likelihood is that Colin Ryan will be at midfield, with team captain Pat Donnellan.
Conor McGrath, Tony Kelly and John Conlon look set to be in the forward line, with Peter Duggan, Darach Honan, Cathal McInerney, Bobby Duggan and David Reidy all challenging for a place.
Paddy Stapleton, Michael Cahill, Shane McGrath, Padraic, Brendan and Patrick Maher, Noel McGrath and Seamus Callinan are expected to lead the Premier side’s challenge.
Selector Mike Deegan said Clare’s approach is to win every game. “We take it one game at a time and our next game is on Sunday against Tipperary and we will be doing all we can to win. We are not looking at the league but at the next game”.
According to the Cratloe man, “Tipperary will not be a pushover. They are going to be up for this. They have players coming back from injury and they will have a strong team for this tie”.
Clare will be expected to win but they are facing a much-improved Tipperary side this time out. Hurting after their defeat in Thurles last month, their win over Cork in the quarter-final was a huge improvement in their overall play.
That said, with championship time nearing, whatever starting line-up Clare name, players will be keen to put down a marker as they chase places in the championship panel.
Championship success remains the priority but the league title hasn’t been in the county since 1978. There is little doubt but manager Davy Fitzgerald would like to guide Clare to victory in the only senior competition he did not win as a player.
They should be strong enough to win through to the final, set for May 5.
Sunday’s double header will also see champions Kilkenny take on Galway in the opening game, which throws-in at 2pm.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.