*David Fitzgerald returns to the Clare team. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’s senior hurling side shows nine changes for Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling League semi-final.
O’Moore Park in Portlaoise hosts Clare’s semi-final with Tipperary as they bid to advance to the league final.
Having had a largely inexperienced side against Offaly for the final round-robin tie last week, it comes as no surprise that Brian Lohan and his management have opted to strengthen the side with the return of more seasoned players.
David Fitzgerald, John Conlon, Conor Cleary, Cathal Malone, Adam Hogan, Diarmuid Ryan, Mark Rodgers, Peter Duggan and David Reidy all enter the fray.
Exiting the starting team are Rory Hayes, John Conneally, Ross Hayes, Conn Smyth, Seadna Morey, Gearoid Sheedy, David Conroy, Patrick Crotty and Shane Meehan.
Positional switches are expected to the announced team which has Cathal Malone at wing-forward and David Fitzgerald at midfield.
Liam Cahill has named a strong Tipperary side which includes the in-form Gearoid O’Connor at centre forward with an experienced full-back line of Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher and Michael Breen and similarly at the other end of the field with a full-forward line of Jake Morris, Patrick Maher and Jason Forde.
Clare:
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2. Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3. Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4. Conor Leen (Corofin)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6. John Conlon (Clonlara)
7. Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
9. Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
10. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
11. Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
12. Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
13. Keith Smyth (Killanena)
14. Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
15. David Reidy (Éire Óg)
16. Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17. Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
18. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
19. Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
20. Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
21. Sean Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
22. Shane Meehan (Banner)
23. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
24. Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
25. Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
26. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
Tipperary:
1: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)
2: Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
3: Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
4: Michael Breen (Ballina)
5: Bryan O’Mara (Holycross Ballycahill)
6: Robert Byrne (Portroe)
7: Conor Bowe (Moyne Templetuohy)
8: Willie Connors (Kiladangan)
9: Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields)
10: Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
11: Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne Templetuohy)
12: Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields)
13: Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
14: Patrick Maher (Lorrha Dorrha)
15: Jason Forde (Silvermines)
Subs:
16: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey Borris)
17: Paddy Caddell (JK Brackens)
18: Sean Hayes (Kiladangan)
19: Sean Kenneally (Moneygall)
20: John McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
21: Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens)
22: Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers)
23: Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)
24: Billy Seymour (Kiladangan)
25: Danny Slattery (Clonoulty Rossmore)
26: Alan Tynan (Roscrea)
