*Conor Cleary and Geraroid Hegarty will cross paths this weekend. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s senior hurling team shows one change for Saturday’s anticipated National Hurling League second round clash with Limerick.
Aaron Fitzgerald of Éire Óg comes into the side in place of Brandon O’Connell in the team announced by Brian Lohan and his management team. Fitzgerald had been named in last weekend’s team but it was O’Connell who started, making his NHL debut in the process. The Ennis defender is to join Diarmuid Ryan and David McInerney in the half-back line.
Jack Kirwan who played a part in setting up two Clare goals in the easy round one win over Westmeath keeps his place at midfield where he is partnered by Cathal Malone. Adam Hogan who also made his league debut last weekend is retained at corner back in a line which includes the experienced pair of Conor Cleary and Seadna Morey while Hogan’s clubmate Eibhear Quilligan is between the posts.
Mark Rodgers who raised two green flags against Westmeath is to start at corner forward with Peter Duggan and Aidan McCarthy beside him. The half-forward line is comprised of David Fitzgerald, David Conroy and Ian Galvin.
No changes have been made to the matchday panel by Lohan and his management team.
Limerick on the other hand have made seven changes from the side which suffered a one point defeat to Cork last weekend.
Cian Lynch will captain Limerick in what is his first start since getting injured in the Munster SHC against Waterford last April. Peter Casey is included in their first fifteen at corner forward, the first time he is handed a starting jersey since the 2021 All-Ireland final.
First league starts have been given to Effin’s Fergal O’Connor and Kilmallock duo Micheál Houlihan and Shane O’Brien. It will be an interesting evening for the O’Brien family as Shane’s father Adrian is in his first year as Clare S&C coach.
Kyle Hayes enters the team at half-back with Declan Hannon missing out with a finger injury. Nickie Quaid returns to man the goals replacing David McCarthy.
7pm is the start time for Saturday’s game at TUS Gaelic Grounds, it will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two with full commentary also on Clare FM.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: David McInerney (Tulla)
7: Aaron Fitzgerald (Éire Óg)
8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: David Conroy (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
12: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
13: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
14: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
15: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
Subs:
16: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17: Cian Nolan (Smith O’Brien’s)
18: Keith Smyth (Killanena)
19: Brandon O’Connell (Ballyea)
20: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
21: John Conneally (Clooney/Quin)
22: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
23: John Conlon (Clonlara)
24: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
25: Gearoid O’Grady (Kilmihil)
26: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
Limerick:
1: Nickie Quaid (Effin)
2: Sean Finn (Bruff)
3: Richie English (Doon)
4: Fergal O’Connor (Effin)
5: Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown)
6: Dan Morrissey (Ahane)
7: Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry)
8: Darragh O’Donovan (Doon)
9: David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)
10: Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s)
11: Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)
12: Micheál Houlihan (Kilmallock)
13: Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock)
14: Seamus Flanagan (Feoghanagh/Castlemahon)
15: Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh).
Subs:
16: David McCarthy (Glenore)
17: Ciaran Barry (Ahane)
18: Ronan Connolly (Adare)
19: Aaron Costello (Kilmallock)
20: Adam English (Doon)
21: Tom Morrissey (Ahane)
22: Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock)
23: Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown)
24: Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen)
25: Oisin O’Reilly (Kilmallock)
26: Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock).
