Ryan a doubt for Antrim clash

For only the second time in the history of Clare GAA, a team from the county will play in an All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Championship semi-final.
At Semple Stadium on Saturday, Clare will take on Ulster champions Antrim (throw-in 4pm) for a place in the final in mid September against either Galway or Kilkenny, who meet in the second of this year’s semi-finals at the famed Tipperary venue at 6pm on Saturday.
The semi-final will be a first ever meeting of Clare and Antrim in competitive fare at U-21 level.
Clare’s only other semi-final appearance was at the same venue three years ago and a truly memorable game it proved to be. Extra time was required before Clare emerged victorious, 3-23 to 5-15, against a Galway side captained by Joe Canning. Clare went on to win the All-Ireland title at the expense of Kilkenny.
In a very tense Munster final in Cusack Park last week, Clare had to rely on an injury time goal from substitute Niall Arthur to secure only their second provincial crown at this level.
They have appeared in 15 provincial finals since the competition was inaugurated in 1964 and had tasted many disappointments before finally making the breakthrough in 2009, beating Waterford in the final at Fraher Field in Dungarvan.
Given that Clare and Tipperary had met in seven finals prior to the 2012 decider and that Tipperary had won all seven, it’s understandable that Clare appeared nervous in last week’s meeting. That Clare were such strong favourites for that game was a little surprising as Tipperary had knocked out favourites Cork in the opening round and then accounted for a fancied Limerick side.
Credit must go to the Banner for the manner in which they battled to the end and they were rewarded with Arthur’s goal. Whether or not it was enough to earn the Inagh-Kilnamona man a place in the starting line-up on Saturday remains to be seen.
Centre-back Conor Ryan is a doubtful starter for this week’s outing having picked up a leg injury when playing with Cratloe in the Senior Football Championship. Should he fail to recover in time for this outing, Clarecastle’s Stephen O’Halloran and Cratloe’s Enda Boyce are amongst those in the running to receive a call-up.
Paul Flanagan, Patrick O’Connor and Seadna Morey look set to be retained in defence. There is speculation that Tony Kelly will switch from attack to midfield to partner Colm Galvin with Shane Golden switched to the half-forward line. Team captain Conor McGrath will continue in the full-forward line while his clubmate Paudge Collins is again expected to lead the attack.
Laois man Anthony Stapleton will referee the game that will be broadcast live on TG4.
The game will be followed by the eagerly awaited meeting of Kilkenny and Galway at 6pm. This game takes on added interest because of the fact that both counties will meet in the All-Ireland senior final two weeks later and a number of the players due to play in that game will be in action this week.