Murray makes Clare team in only change for Wicklow clash

*Cormac Murray. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

CORMAC Murray has been handed a first start in this year’s Allianz National Football League.

St Joseph’s Miltown forward Murray has been introduced from the bench in all of Clare’s three outings to date in Division 3, making an impact in each occasion.

It is the first time Mark Fitzgerald has made alterations to the starting fifteen having selected the same team for their clashes with Sligo, Westmeath and Offaly. Sunday’s game against Wicklow commences at 1pm.

Murray enters the fray instead of Éire Óg’s Mark McInerney to join the Griffins, Aaron and Shane in the full-forward line.

Diarmuid O’Donnell who contributed 1-2 from the bench in last weekend’s win over Offaly remains among the substitutes. Éinne O’Connor is also unlucky not to be rewarded with a starting berth.

Stephen Ryan captains the side from between the posts with the full-back line unchanged with Manus Doherty, Ronan Lanigan and Micheál Garry all in situ.

Alan Sweeney mans the defence from centre back with Ikem Ugwueru and Daniel Walsh on either side of him. Brian McNamara and Gavin Murray are the midfield partnership once again.

Kildysart’s Emmet McMahon leads the attack at centre forward where he is flanked by Dermot Coughlan and Ciaran Downes.

Clare
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)

2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
4: Micheál Garry (Cooraclare)

5: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
6: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
7: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)

8: Gavin Murray (Éire Óg)
9: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)

10: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
11: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
12: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)

13: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown)
14: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
15: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)

Subs:
16: Tristan O’Callaghan (St Breckan’s)
17: Éinne O’Connor (Éire Óg)
18: James Curran (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
19: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
20: Jamie Stack (St Breckan’s)
21: Fergal Guinnane (Kildysart)
22: Darren O’Brien (Éire Óg)
23: Tom McDonald (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
24: Josh Guyler (Ennistymon)
25: Diarmuid O’Donnell (Kildsyart)
26: Thomas Kelly (Shannon Gaels)