*Mark Rodgers is set for his first appearance of 2025. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
TONY Kelly, John Conlon, David Fitzgerald, Mark Rodgers and Rory Hayes will all make their first starts of 2025 for the Clare hurlers as they welcome Wexford to Ennis in a must-win tie.
Brian Lohan and his management team have made six changes in total from the side which suffered a seven point loss to Galway in round two.
Reigning League and All-Ireland champions Clare must beat Wexford this weekend otherwise they will be relegated next season.
It is the strongest fifteen have been able to name so far in 2025 with Kelly, Fitzgerald and Rodgers adding fire power up front while Conlon’s presence will look to strengthen up a defence which had been cut open in the opening two rounds. Eibhear Quilligan returns between the posts with Éamonn Foudy despite impressing in Salthill not included in the squad this weekend.
Foudy, Ross Hayes, Jack O’Neill, Paddy Donnellan, Seán Rynne and Keith Smyth are dropped for the weekend. Smyth who did well when introduced off the bench against Kilkenny is omitted from the matchday twenty six as is O’Neill, the Clooney/Quin attacker had been trialled as a wing-back in the first two rounds.
Adam Hogan moves to wing back with Cian Galvin wearing number five. Rory Hayes makes a long-awaited return to the first fifteen at corner back with Darragh Lohan at three and Ian Mcnamara at four.
Cathal Malone and Ryan Taylor return as a midfield pairing, the Scariff duo of Rodgers and Patrick Crotty are joined by David Fitzgerald in the half-forward line.
There’s sharpshooters aplenty in the inside line with Tony Kelly on the edge of the square with Aidan McCarthy and David Reidy at either side.
Throw-in for Sunday’s game in Cusack Park is 13:45.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
3: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
4: Ian Macnamara (Killanena)
5: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
12: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
13: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
14: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
15: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
Subs:
16: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
18: Shane Meehan (Banner)
19: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
20: Seán Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
21: Ross Hayes (Crusheen)
22: Conor Leen (Corofin)
23: Shane Woods (Inagh/Kilnamona)
24: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
25: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
26: Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe)
