*David McInerney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
DAVID McInerney will be available for selection for Clare’s senior hurlers as they welcome Limerick to Cusack Park for a sell-out Munster championship cracker.
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Two-time All Star McInerney missed out on Clare’s six point win over Waterford a fortnight ago but is back in the mix for game time. The primary school teacher was also ruled out for Clare’s Division 1B league final win over Dublin and had been named to start in the final round against Wexford but was a late omission. He was introduced as a substitute during Clare’s win over Kildare in the fourth round of the league and started the subsequent game against Carlow but was forced off with an injury after six minutes.
He featured for the full sixty minutes for Tulla in their Division 3 league game against Cratloe over the weekend in a game the East Clare side won 1-20 2-16. The jump from a full game with his club to the heat of Munster championship is significant and may preclude his absence from the start.
All members of the Clare senior hurling panel who did not receive game time against Waterford in the first round and were fit to play were released to their clubs over the weekend with many featuring in the Clare Cup and having influential roles including David Fitzgerald who impressed with six points from play for Inagh/Kilnamona.
Clonlara were boosted by the return of Dylan McMahon, Colm O’Meara and John Conlon. Sources in Clonlara have said it was agreed prior to throw-in that Conlon would only play for fifteen minutes which has fuelled speculation that the most experienced member of the county squad will be in action against Limerick this weekend.
Since the win over Waterford, former Young Hurler of the Year Adam Hogan has come under unfair criticism. The Feakle defender required medical attention after receiving a cut to the head in a clash with Stephen Bennett. Hogan was accused of diving and RTÉ analysts on The Sunday Game who were not physically present in Cusack Park were also vocal in knocking the Mary Immaculate College student instead of lauding one of the greatest blocks made in this year’s championship earlier in the game.
Along with the spotlight on Hogan, the concession of four goals has been flagged as the area which Clare need to cut down on in order to secure a long and fruitful championship campaign. None of the Clare defence stood out as having poor games while goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan made two tremendous saves during round one.
However the need to supply greater protection to the backline may pave the way for the return of either McInerney and Conlon to the half-back line with a return to midfield for Cathal Malone touted.
Diarmuid Stritch’s impact from the bench a fortnight ago has helped his cause of receiving more game time but overall it is anticipated that Brian Lohan and his management will not make significant changes for the tie with the beloved neighbours from Limerick.
