*Ciaran Downes. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
MARK FITZGERALD has named his starting fifteen for Clare’s decisive final round clash with Down in Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League.
A win for Clare in Páirc Esler for Sunday’s tie which starts at 2pm would see them secure promotion to the second tier, one season on from their relegation down to Division 3.
Emmet McMahon who missed out on last weekend’s three point win over Antrim is named at wing forward. The Kildysart man sustained a knee injury on Thursday of last week and underwent a scan on Monday, the results of which showed that there is no serious injury. A definite decision on his inclusion in the team will be made closer to throw-in with management also conscious of the looming championship campaign.
Cormac Murray went off in the closing stages of the Antrim game with a minor hamstring injury but is included in the full-forward line.
As has been the case for the entirety of the league campaign to date, Fitzgerald has kept faith with the same goalkeeper, defence and midfield.
Cillian Rouine and Darragh Bohannon have returned to fitness and for the second weekend in a row are included among the substitutes. Diarmuid O’Donnell who was a late addition to the squad last weekend following McMahon’s injury is retained among the subs with Josh Guyler missing out.
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
4: Micheál Garry (Cooraclare)
5: Ikem Ugwueru (Éire Óg)
6: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
7: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
8: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
9: Gavin Murray (Éire Óg)
10: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
11: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13: Joe McGann (St Breckan’s)
14: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
15: Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown)
Subs:
16: Tristan O’Callaghan (St Breckan’s)
17: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
18: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
19: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
20: Darren Nagle (Liscannor)
21: Jamie Stack (St Breckan’s)
22: Fergal Ginnane (Kildysart)
23: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)
24: Diarmuid O’Donnell (Kildysart)
25: Tom McDonald (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
26: Thomas Kelly (Shannon Gaels)
