CHANGES in the Clare senior hurling management team are on the way but manager Davy Fitzgerald isn’t prepared, just yet, to reveal the specifics. The Clare Champion understands that strength and conditioning coach Joe O’Connor, will not be continuing while there is uncertainty if team coach/trainer Paul Kinnerk will be in the new set-up. Fitzgerald wouldn’t confirm or deny this but did admit that “there will be changes and I will be revealing the make up of the team in a week or two”. There was much speculation during the summer that Limerick native Kinnerk had left the team but this was inaccurate. The St Caimin’s Shannon teacher, who plays club football with Monaleen and lives in Cratloe, was away for a number of weeks on a pre-arranged trip and on his return, re-joined the management team immediately and fulfilled his usual role when they played Wexford in the qualifier replay in Wexford Park. Since that game the rumour mill …
Read More »Two changes on under 21 hurling team
By Seamus Hayes The Clare team to play Tipperary in this Wednesday’s Munster under 21 hurling championship semi-final shows two changes from the side which started against Limerick in the opening round. Alan O’Neill returns from injury and will line out at centre back where he was impressive during last year’s campaign. Conor Cleary moved to wing back releasing Jamie Shanahan to play at wing forward to the exclusion of Shane Gleeson. Eoin Enright who has been struggling to overcome injury loses out to Shane McGrath who will play at centre forward. Enright has recovered from a shoulder injury and is named amongst the substitutes. The team includes six players who all saw action against Wexford in the senior Qualifier replay on Saturday last. They are Jack Browne, Seadna Morey, Tony Kelly, Colm Galvin and Peter Duggan who started in that game and Jamie Shanahan who was introduced for extra time. Cathal O’Connell, a regular in last year’s victorious team, will …
Read More »Two changes on football team to face Carlow
By Seamus Hayes There are two changes on the Clare senior football team for Sunday’s qualifier clash with Carlow at Dr. Cullen Park (throw in 2p.m.) from that which put up such an impressive performance against Munster champions Kerry in the Provincial semi-final. Jamie Malone following an impressive performance when introduced for Shane Hickey who was blackcarded after five minutes against Kerry retains his place and is named at wing back. Hickey is also named in the starting line up and he will now be at corner back with Dean Ryan losing out. The other change is in attack where the experienced Rory Donnelly comes in at corner forward in place of Martin O’Leary. Dual players, Sean and Podge Collins are both named in the attack. the team is; Joe Hayes (Lissycasey) Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) Kevin Hartnett (Meelick) Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Jamie Malone (Corofin) Gordon Kelly (Miltown) Ciaran Russell (Eire Og); Gary Brennan (Clondegad) Captain, Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis); Sean Collins …
Read More »Kelly returns to goalkeeping duties
All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona) has been recalled for this Saturday’s Qualifier clash with Wexford at Cusack Park and he will replace Donal Tuohywho filled the position in the recent Munster semi-final game against Cork. Kelly’s selection is one of two changes from the side which started against Cork. The other change is in attack where Cathal McInerney comes in for Peter Duggan. McInerney is named at corner forward in what will be an all Cratloe full forward line which also included Conor McGrath and Podge Collins Ballyea’s Jack Browne who made his senior championship; debut against Cork before being replaced by Seadna Morey, is retained at corner back. Both Cian Dillon and Colm Galvin who were rated as doubtful starters due to injury, have been named in their usual positions in the full back line and at midfield respectively While Shane O’Donnell have been back in training in recent weeks following a hamstring injury, its thought unlikely that …
Read More »Two changes to football team for replay
There are two changes in personnel on the Clare senior football team for Saturday’s first round championship replay with Waterford at Dungarvan from that which started in the drawn game in Ennis last week. As expected, Shane Brennan is retained and he takes over from the unavailable Podge Collins who will be with the hurlers this week for their Munster championship semi-final against Cork on Sunday. Brennan is named at full forward with David Tubridy moving to the corner where Collins started last week. The other change is also in attack where Meelick’s Barry Hartnett, brother of full back Kevin, takes over from Jamie Malone. Sean Collins who, like his brother Paodge is also a member of the senior hurling panel, is available to the footballers for Saturday’s game. The team is: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Dean Ryan (Éire Óg), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown), Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg); Gary Brennan (Clondegad) captain, Shane …
Read More »Clare make one change for Division 4 final
By Seamus Hayes The Clare team for Saturday’s Division 4 football league final against Tipperary at Croke Park (throw in 5p.m.) shows one change in personnell from that which beat Antrim last time out to secure promotion to Division 3. Shane Brennan is named in the starting line up in place of the unavailable Sean Collins who is in Portugal with the Clare hurlers on their training camp. Collins’ brother Podge, a very influential player after being introduced in that game in Creggan, will also miss Saturday’s fixture because he is also with the hurlers. In a positional switch, Enda Coughlan returns to defence and Ciaran Russell is now selected at wing forward. Shane Brennan is named at full forward with Martin O’Leary and David Tubridy in the corners. The team is: Pierce DeLoughrey (Cratloe); Dean Ryan (Éire Óg), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown St. Joseph’s), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Gary Brennan (Clondegad) captain, …
Read More »Minor footballers make four changes
By Seamus Hayes THE Clare team which will face Limerick this Wednesday evening in the first play-off game in the losers round of the Munster championship shows four changes in personnel and wholesale positional switches from the side which went under to Kerry last week. Only four of the players will start in the same positions they filled against Kerry. Into the side come Liam Tierney, Conor Downes, Maccon Byrne and Liam Madigan, all of whom were introduced last week and they replace Eoin Hanrahan, Aaron Rudd, Conor Finnucane and Micheal Duff. The team is Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey); Liam Tierney (St. Breckan’s), Pearce Lillis (Cooraclare), Conor Downes (Naomh Eoin); Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora) Brian Cahill (Lissycasey) Colm Pyne (Killimer); Conal O hAinifein (Éire Óg) James Woods (Éire Óg); Maccon Byrne (St. Breckan’s), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Niall McCarthy (Lissycasey); Aidan Davidson (St. Breckan’s), Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg), Liam Madigan (Kilrush).
Read More »Clare make seven changes for trip to Portlaoise
By Seamus Hayes There are seven changes in personnel to the Clare senior hurling team for the Allianz league quarter final clash with Laois at Portlaoise on Sunday from the side which started against Galway in Cusack Park last Sunday. Omitted are Domhnaill O’Donovan, Jack Browne, Paul Flanagan, Colm Galvin, Shane Golden, Cathal McInerney and David Reidy and they are replaced by Conor Cooney, David McInerney, Pat Donnellan, Colin Ryan, John Conlon, Bobby Duggan and Conor McGrath. McInerney, Donnellan, Ryan, Conlon and McGrath were all introduced during the second half last week and played a big part in helping Clare to earn a draw in that game. Of the seven left out this week, Shane Golden is under suspension having been sent off last week while Colm Galvin is injured and missed his club’s under 21 A championship semi-final on Friday evening when they lost to Sixmilebridge at Clarecastle. The team that will line out against Laois is Patrick Kelly (Inagh-Kilnamona); …
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