Cleary returns for first start of 2025 as Clare remain in must-win territory

*Conor Cleary. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. 

CONOR CLEARY makes his first start of the year for Clare’s senior hurlers as they welcome Cork to Ennis.

Cleary underwent a shoulder operation last year, an injury he has struggled in recent years including forcing his absence for the 2023 Munster final. The injury even forced his substitution during the All-Ireland final win over Cork last July and he underwent surgery following Kilmaley’s dramatic exit from the Clare SHC in September.

He returns at full-back while Peter Duggan is back among the substitutes for the first time, the forward had to undergo surgery for an ankle injury that saw him play through the pain barrier for all of Clare’s All-Ireland winning season in 2024.

Éire Óg’s David Reidy is the player to lose out with Cleary’s return, the corner forward is not included in the matchday twenty six and appeared to pick up a knock in the Gaelic Grounds last weekend. Darragh Lohan is moved to wing back with the Miltown Malbay man back to assume the full-back berth.

After leading the way during Clare’s first league win on Sunday last against Limerick, former Clare U20 midfield partners Jack O’Neill and Seán Rynne retain their places in the side, at centre forward and wing forward respectively.

David McInerney returns to the bench, the Tulla man sustained a hamstring injury during Clare’s opening round loss to Kilkenny. Reidy, Patrick Crotty, Shane Woods and Gearoid Sheedy are not included in the matchday twenty six.

Anything other than a Clare win will see them relegated to Division 1B for 2025 as they welcome Pat Ryan’s Cork to Zimmer Biomet Páirc Ciosóg for what is a dress rehearsal for the April 20th championship opener. The game commences at 15:15.

Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (Kilmaley)
4: Conor Leen (Corofin)

5: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)

8: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
9: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)

10: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
11: Jack O’Neill (Clooney/Quin)
12: Seán Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)

13: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
14: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
15: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)

Subs:
16: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
18: Shane Meehan (Banner)
19: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
20: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
21: Ross Hayes (Crusheen)
22: David McInerney (Tulla)
23: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
24: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
25: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
26: Ian Macnamara (Killanena)