*Rory Hayes returns to the Clare defence. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
BRIAN LOHAN has named his starting team for Sunday’s first round of Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League.
Clare’s bid to bounce back from last season’s relegation begins in earnest in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiósóg on Sunday at 14:00.
Nine members of the first fifteen to win the All-Ireland final in 2024 are included from the off in the Clare side which is captained by Tony Kelly. He forms part of a scintillating half-forward line with Mark Rodgers and Peter Duggan.
Eibhear Quilligan’s impressive recovery from a knee operation in August sees him return between the posts.
On the subject of remarkable recoveries, John Conlon who sustained a very serious finger injury last summer is included among the substitutes.
Two-time All Star nominee Rory Hayes who didn’t start any league or championship outing for Clare last year is handed a starting berth at corner back where he joins Adam Hogan and Conor Cleary.
Also handed an opportunity to impress is full-forward Keith Smyth who last started versus Galway in the second round of the Allianz National League in 2025. Ryan Taylor and Shane Meehan are named at either side of the Killanena sharpshooter.
Paired together at midfield is Cathal Malone and David Fitzgerald while the named half-back line has Cian Galvin at centre back with Mary Immaculate College graduates Diarmuid Ryan and Darragh Lohan on the flanks.
Dublin meanwhile have made four changes to their team which lost last weekend’s Walsh Cup final to Galway. Eoghan O’Donnell, Chris Crummey, Brian Hayes and Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing start in place of Cathal Kennedy, Seán Gallagher, Conor Groarke and Ollie Gaffney.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
7: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
10: Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
11: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
12: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
13: Shane Meehan (Banner)
14: Keith Smyth (Killanena)
15: Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin)
Subs:
16: Mark Sheedy (Sixmilebridge)
17: John Conneally (Clooney-Quin)
18: John Conlon (Clonlara)
19: Ross Hayes (Crusheen)
20: Aidan Fawl (O’Callaghan’s Mills)
21: Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara)
22: Senan Dunford (Tubber)
23: Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin)
24: Colm O’Meara (Clonlara)
25: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
26: Conor Leen (Corofin)
Dublin:
1: Sean Brennan (Cuala)
2: John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields)
3: Paddy Smyth (Clontarf)
4: Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille)
5: Andrew Dunphy (St Brigids)
6: Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields)
7: Conor Burke (St Vincents)
8: Brian Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes)
9: Conor Donohoe (Erins Isle)
10: Davy Keogh (Thomas Davis)
11: Donal Burke (Na Fianna)
12: Darragh Power (Fingallians)
13: Diarmaid Ó Dulaing (Commercials)
14: Ronan Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes)
15: Cian O’Sullivan (St Brigids)
