The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
By Seamus Hayes
THERE are three debutants on the Clare senior football team for Sunday’s opening game in division 4 of the Allianz league when they play Waterford at Fraher Field in Dungarvan.
Goalkeeper Pierce DeLoughrey (Cratloe) and corner forwards Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil) and Jamie Malone (Corofin) have been named in a team, which also includes six players who were not part of last year’s panel for a variety of reasons.
The six survivors from last year’s panel are Martin McMahon and Enda Coughlan, from Kilmurry Ibrickane; Gary Brennan (Clondegad), who is the team captain, Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen), Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis, Dublin) and David Tubridy (Doonbeg).
Dual player Sean Collins has been named at wing forward and the expectation is that his brother, Podge, also a member of the senior hurling squad, will be on the bench.
Ruled out due to injury are goalkeeper Joe Hayes, defender Shane McNeilis and forwards Alan Clohessy and Rory Donnelly.
The team is: Pierce DeLoughrey (Cratloe); Dean Ryan (Ére Óg), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Enda Coughlan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Martin ‘Ógie’ Murphy (Cratloe); Gary Brennan (Clondegad), Capt, Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Shane Brennan (Clondegad), Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis), Sean Collins (Cratloe); Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil), David Tubridy (Doonbeg), Jamie Malone (Corofin).
