The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Derrick Lynch
There is mixed news for the Clare senior hurling and football panels ahead of the resumption of the intercounty season in the coming weeks.
It is understood that Brian Lohan will be without another of Clare’s 2013 All Ireland winning heroes with Podge Collins leaving the panel for the upcoming campaign.
The circumstances surrounding the Cratloe man’s departure from the squad are not yet known, but the former All Star joins the injured Clonlara duo of John Conlon and Colm Galvin on the absentee list.
Clare take on Limerick in the opening round of the Munster hurling championship in Thurles on October 25 with the game also doubling up as the National League final.
There is better news on the football front with All Star nominees Gary Brennan and Jamie Malone having linked up with the squad once more.
Clondegad man Brennan opted out prior to the start of the 2020 season but the outbreak of Covid-19 scuppered his plans for travelling this summer. He is currently nursing an ankle injury sustained in his club’s championship exit against Cratloe but is understood to be close to returning to full fitness ahead of Clare’s crucial final two rounds in the National League.
Corofin’s Malone also took time out to travel during the National League campaign but has committed to the squad once more.
Aaron Fitzgerald is also back training with the squad having recovered from a knee injury that saw him sidelined last year.
