Conlon named at centre-back for Clare’s league opener

*John Conlon. Photograph: Martin Connolly

Clare’s senior hurlers will be the county’s first side in competitive action this year when they make the trip to Antrim over the weekend.

Brian Lohan’s charges kick off their Allianz National Hurling League campaign with the long trip North where they will face off with Darren Gleeson’s side.

Inter-county managements will be tying with the possibility of trialling out new players during their five league encounters.

John Conlon has been named at centre-back for Clare’s senior hurlers in their first league outing of the year.

As reported by The Clare Echo this week, Conlon who missed last year’s championship through injury has featured at number six during internal matches at training.

During Sean Stack’s tenure as Clonlara boss in 2015, a year in which they lost the county final to Sixmilebridge, Conlon lined out at centre back. He is joined in the half-back line by Diarmuid Ryan and Aidan McCarthy.

Harty Cup winning joint captain of St Flannan’s College, Cian Galvin and Broadford’s Paddy Donnellan will make their debuts for the Clare senior hurlers at midfield and corner back respectively.

Galvin partners his school teacher Tony Kelly in the centre of the park.

Clare

1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)

2: Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)

3: Conor Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)

4: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)

5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)

6: John Conlon (Clonlara)

7: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)

8: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)

9: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)

10: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)