*Jack Kirwan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
SENAN DUNFORD will make his starting debut in the Allianz National Hurling League with Clare’s leading championship appearance holder John Conlon making his first start of the year and Jack Kirwan returns from a head injury to make his first start in three years.
Clare welcome Down to Cusack Park this Sunday looking to record a third successive victory in Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League and strengthen their chance of securing promotion to the top tier.
There are five changes from the Clare side which defeated Antrim by four points on Sunday. Eibhear Quilligan, Ross Hayes, John Conlon, Jack Kirwan and Senan Dunford all start in place of Éamonn Foudy, Rory Hayes, John Conneally, Tony Kelly and Peter Duggan.
Kirwan has been part of the senior panel since 2023 and impressed in the Munster league against Limerick before sustaining a head injury while Dunford was one of the new additions to the senior squad when preparations commenced for the 2026 campaign.
Injury rules out Adam Hogan, John Conneally, Rory Hayes and Seán Rynne from selection.
Included as substitutes for the first time in this season’s league are Ian Galvin, Jamie Moylan and Ronan Kilroy who was added to the panel in the past week.
Crusheen’s Ross Hayes is in the unfamiliar setting of corner back with Dylan McMahon retained in the other corner after impressing in his first league appearance where he even managed to score a point. The experienced Conor Cleary anchors the full-back line.
John Conlon makes a welcome return to the Clare team, he is named at centre back where he is flanked by Cathal Malone and Diarmuid Ryan. At midfield, the pairing of Ryan Taylor and Darragh Lohan is retained for the third game in a row.
David Reidy moves out to centre forward with strong aerial options of David Fitzgerald and Jack Kirwan on either side.
It’s a third successive start at corner forward for Shane Meehan with Mark Rodgers back to the full-forward line which also includes Senan Dunford.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Dylan McMahon (Clonlara)
3: Conor Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Ross Hayes (Crusheen)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: Cathal Malone (Ennistymon)
8: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
9: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
10: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
11: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
12: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
13: Shane Meehan (Banner)
14: Senan Dunford (Tubber)
15: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
Subs:
16: Éamonn Foudy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
17: Niall O’Farrell (Broadford)
18: Colm O’Meara (Clonlara)
19: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
20: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
21: Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara)
22: Jack O’Neill (Clooney/Quin)
23: Ronan Kilroy (Banner)
24: Jamie Moylan (Cratloe)
25: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
26: Aidan Fawl (O’Callaghan’s Mills)
