Having missed most of the season due to a troublesome groin injury, Doonbeg’s David Tubridy is back in the Clare senior football team and has been named to start at full forward on Saturday evening against Longford in Clare’s opening game in the qualifiers.

The sharpshooter’s inclusion is the only change to the side which lined out against Cork in the Munster semi-final. He replaces Cooraclare’s Rory Donnelly in the full forward line.

There is further good news for Clare with both Shane McGrath and Enda Coughlan named amongst the substitutes having recovered from the injuries which saw them miss the game with Cork. Both are expected to play at some stage on Saturday.

The team is; Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Ciaran Russell (Eire Og), Kevin Hartnett (Meelick), Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Shane Hickey (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Gordon Kelly (Miltown), Dean Ryan (Eire Og); Gary Brennan (Clondegad) captain, Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Sean Collins (Cratloe), Jamie Malone (Corofin), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry-Ibrickane); Eoin Cleary (Miltown), David Tubridy (Doonbeg), Pat Burke (Kilmacud Crokes).

By Seamus Hayes