*Mark Rodgers is helped off the field by physio Damien McMahon and Dr Michelle McNamara. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
INJURIES have been mounting for Clare’s senior hurlers as they bid to qualify for a fourth Munster final in five seasons.
An eleven point win over Tipperary on Saturday has Clare’s campaign back on track following their fifteen point loss to Limerick in their second outing.
There are a number of scenarios that will be clearer by Sunday evening which will determine who lines out in this year’s Munster final.
Should Limerick defeat Tipperary in TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday they will advance to the Munster final. If this is the outcome in Limerick, Clare need to beat Cork by four points or more to set up a rematch with their neighbours.
If Tipperary record their first win of the championship then either a draw between Clare and Cork or a win for Clare would result in a Clare versus Cork Munster final.
They are the scenarios but Brian Lohan and his management are unlikely to be picking from a full deck this weekend.
Injuries forced Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers and Ryan Taylor from the field before the final whistle in Clare’s victory over All-Ireland champions Tipp with concerns over their involvement in Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday.
Rodgers was first off the field with a reckless challenge from Tipperary midfielder Willie Connors leaving the Scariff attacker dazed. The freetaker was temporarily replaced for four minutes with eight minutes played before returning to the field but he was later replaced on twenty four minutes.
An ankle injury led to the departure of captain Kelly with fifty six minutes played in Thurles. He left Semple Stadium in a protective boot.
Prior to this, Taylor was forced off with forty five minutes played in the contest, he came out worse for wear after a stray pass left him in a tricky situation and a shoulder injury was sustained. The Clooney/Quin clubman departed Thurles with his arm in a sling. He is expected to be in the Clare first fifteen this weekend.
Protective measures have been utilised by Clare’s medical team to aid recovery of panel members who have sustained injury with a number of players leaving Cusack Park following the Limerick defeat in protective boots and slings yet they were fit enough to take to the field against Limerick a fortnight later.
However, the shorter turnaround of a week for the Cork game compared with the gap between the Limerick and Tipperary ties has left the trio in a race against time to be available for selection.
Ian Galvin’s return of 1-2 has him as the leading contender to replace Rodgers should the former Young Hurler of the Year miss the Cork clash. Starting members of the 2024 All-Ireland winning side David Reidy and David Fitzgerald are likely to get the nod in the absence of either Kelly and Taylor. Jack O’Neill and Shane Meehan would also be vying for increased game time from the bench if there are injury related changes.
Ben O’Connor’s Cork are far from full strength with an increasing amount of injuries in the Rebels camp.
Captain Darragh Fitzgibbon has been ruled out for the remainder of the Munster championship. The three time All Star underwent surgery on his appendix over the weekend.
His predecessor as skipper, Robert Downey is ruled out for the Clare game. The Glen Rovers defender has been out of action for three weeks and is set for another three weeks on the sideline after picking up an ankle injury in their 2-22 1-23 win over Limerick.
Ciaran Joyce who had nailed down the full-back jersey sustained a cruciate ligament injury in the Limerick game which has ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Daire O’Leary who lined out at full back in five of Cork’s National Hurling League fixtures is recovering from an achilles injury.
Latest to join the list for the treatment table in Cork is wing forward Robbie O’Flynn. He picked up a hamstring injury in training last week and is expected to remain out for another three weeks.
