*John Conlon. Photograph: Martin Connolly
All Star John Conlon will make his first appearance of 2019 for the Clare senior hurlers when they begin their Allianz National Hurling League campaign against Tipperary.
Thurles is the venue on Saturday as Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor look to get their league bid off to a successful start at Semple Stadium. They welcome the Clonlara attacker back to their lineup in a full-forward line that also includes debutant Colin Guilfoyle and Mikey O’Neill. Diarmuid Ryan and Aidan McCarthy will also make their league debuts for the Banner.
Ballyea’s Jack Browne comes in the side at corner back for Rory Hayes in another change from the team which defeated Tipperary in the Munster Senior Hurling League Final. Peter Duggan and Paul Flanagan are included among the substitutes, both returning from an injured spell on the sidelines.
Liam Sheedy has named an experienced outfit in what will be his first league game as manager since returning to the hotseat. Newly appointed captain, Seamus Callinan is joined in the forward line by Jason Forde, Noel McGrath and Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher. Padraic Maher continues at full-back with Ronan Maher drafted into the side at centre-back.
Cork’s Colm Lyons is the matchday referee for the tie which commences at 7pm.
CLARE:
1. Donal Tuohy (Crusheen)
2. Jason McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
3. David McInerney (Tulla)
20. Jack Browne (Ballyea)
5. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona)
6. Conor Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
7. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
8. Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
9. Tony Kelly (Ballyea) – Captain
10. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
11. Niall Deasy (Ballyea)
12. Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin)
13. Colin Guilfoyle (Newmarket On Fergus)
25. John Conlon (Clonlara)
15. Michael O’Neill (Kilmaley)
SUBSTITUTES:
16. Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin)
17. Podge Collins (Cratloe)
18. Michael O’Malley (Kilmaley)
19. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
4. Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
21. Colm Galvin (Clonlara)
22. Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
23. David Conroy (St Joseph’s Doora Barefield)
24. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
14. Gary Cooney (O’Callaghan’s Mills)
26. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona)
Tipperary
1. Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha)
2. Cathal Barrett (Hollycross-Ballycahill)
3. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
4. Donagh Maher (Burgess)
5. Alan Flynn (Kiladangan)
6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
7. Joe O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
8. Michael Breen (Ballina)
9. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens)
10. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
11. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
12. Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha)
13. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
14. Seamus Callanan (Drom-Inch)
15. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
Subs:
16. Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)
17. James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)
18. Robert Byrne (Portroe)
19. Willie Connors (Kiladangan)
20. Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
21. Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill)
22. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)
23. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
24. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
25. Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
26. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
