While the majority of the players that helped Clare to maintain Division 2 league status over the past four years are expected to fill key positions in the upcoming Allianz League, a number of players are set to make their senior competitive debuts over the coming weeks.
Amongst them will be Austin Stacks clubman Conor Jordan from Tralee, a son of former St. Senan’s Kilkee and Clare player, George who lined out in defence for championship winning teams from the popular west Clare seaside resort.
The defender has been training with Clare in recent weeks and has featured in a number of internal games. He was due to join the panel before now but a cruciate knee injury meant that this didn’t happen.
Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon), Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry-Ibrickane) and Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey) were amongst those called into the panel after last season’s club championship and they are all expected to be included in the match day squad on Sunday.
Darragh Bohannon from Shannon Gaels is also believed to be strongly in contention for a place in the starting line up this week, most likely at midfield.
St Joseph Miltown’s Eoin Cleary will captain the side again this year and he is expected to lead the team from centre forward. Regulars such as Cathal O’Connor, Cillian Brennan, Ciaran Russell, Pearse Lillis, Jamie Malone, Cian O’Dea, David Tubridy, Keelan Sexton, Kevin Harnett, brothers Podge and Sean Collins are all expected to see game time on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Stephen Ryan (Kilrush) is being challenged for the number one spot this year by Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey) and Tom O’Brien (St Josephs, Doora-Barefield).
“Other than the usual niggles, there are no major injury worries and I expect we will have a full strength panel from which to select the team”, manager Colm Collins told the Clare Echo
