*Clare centre back John Conlon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
STARTING TEAMS have been named by Clare and Cork for Sunday’s eagerly awaited All-Ireland SHC final.
Brian Lohan and his management have opted not to make any changes to the first fifteen which overcame Kilkenny in the semi-final to book a place in the decider for the first time since 2013.
As per the named team, Clooney/Quin’s Ryan Taylor has to contend with a place among the substitutes despite producing a game-changing performance when introduced on forty nine minutes in the two point win over Kilkenny.
Tony Kelly captains the side from attack where he is joined by Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy, Peter Duggan and Shane O’Donnell.
Cathal Malone and David Fitzgerald are listed as the midfield pairing but Fitzgerald will presumably as he has done all year move to the half-forward line.
Two of the back six, John Conlon and David McInerney were part of the victorious 2013 side, they are joined in the half-back line by Diarmuid Ryan. The full-back line is comprised of Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary and Conor Leen while Feakle’s Eibhear Quilligan mans the goals.
Éire Óg, Feakle and Inagh/Kilnamona are the only clubs to have more than one representative on the starting team for Clare.
There are changes among the substitutes, Seadna Morey who had an assist for one of Clare’s goals in the 2013 replay is included in the matchday panel as is Ruan’s Robin Mounsey with Keith Smyth of Killanena and Inagh/Kilnamona’s Seán Rynne missing out.
Mounsey’s inclusion makes him the first Ruan man since Cyril Lyons in 1995 to be included on the Clare matchday panel for an All-Ireland final while Shane Meehan makes history as the first club member of the Banner to tog out in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day.
Cork have also opted to keep faith with the same team which prevailed in the All-Ireland semi-final. Star man Darragh Fitzgibbon is partnered at midfield by Tim O’Mahony. The Downeys, Eoin and Robert occupy central roles in their defence where they are joined by captain Sean O’Donoghue, Niall O’Leary, Ciaran Joyce and Mark Coleman.
Brian Hayes fresh from scoring 1-4 in the Limerick game is at corner forward with Patrick Horgan and Alan Connolly joining him. Shane Barrett continues at centre forward with Declan Dalton and Seamus Harnedy beside him.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (Kilmaley)
4: Conor Leen (Corofin)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: David McInerney (Tulla)
8: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
9: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
10: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
11: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
12: Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
13: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
14: Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg,)
15: David Reidy (Éire Óg).
Subs:
16: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
18: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
19: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
20: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
21: Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin)
22: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
23: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
24: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
25: Shane Meehan (Banner)
26: Robin Mounsey (Ruan).
Cork:
1: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2: Niall O’ Leary (Castlelyons)
3: Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers)
4: Sean O’ Donoghue (Inniscarra) (c).
5: Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr)
6: Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
7: Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8: Tim O Mahony (Newtownshandrum)
9: Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
10: Declan Dalton (Fr.O Neill’s).
11: Shane Barrett (Blarney)
12: Seamus Harnedy (St. Ita’s)
13: Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
14: Alan Connolly (Blackrock)
15: Brian Hayes (St. Finbarr’s)
Subs:
16: Brion Saunderson (Midleton)
17: Damien Cahalane (St. Finbarr’s)
18: Ger Millerick (Fr. O’Neill’s)
19: Tommy O Connell (Midleton)
20: Luke Meade (Newcestown)
21: Ethan Twomey (St.Finbarr’s)
22: Conor Lehane (Midleton)
23: Jack O Connor (Sarsfields)
24: Shane Kingston, (Douglas)
25: Padraig Power (Blarney)
26: Robbie O’ Flynn (Erin’s Own)
