*Brendy Rouine is among the players getting a first start of the 2023 NFL. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
EIGHT CLARE footballers will make their first start of this year’s Allianz National Football League in what will be the county’s last outing in the competition.
Five defeats in a row has resulted in Clare’s relegation to Division 3 and they face Limerick this Sunday in Cusack Park, both of the neighbouring counties making the drop down from Division 2 after the weekend.
Cillian Rouine, Micheál Garry, Ikem Ugwueru, Daniel Walsh, Brendy Rouine, Ciaran Downes, Mark McInerney and Aaron Griffin all start for the first time in this year’s league.
Colm Collins and his management are giving their players a chance to impress ahead of the Munster SFC quarter-final versus Cork in two weeks time. A total of eight changes in personnel have been made from the side which lost 0-14 0-04 against Derry, a tie that saw Rory Gallagher’s side secure promotion to the top flight.
Ciaran Russell moves to full back with Jamie Malone repositioned at centre back. Darragh Bohannon is retained at midfield along with Stephen Ryan between the posts and Keelan Sexton at full forward.
Late changes to the Clare panel were announced on Saturday night. Emmet McMahon entered the team in place of Cathal O’Connor while Thomas Kelly, Cathal Downes, Morgan Garry and Colm Pyne were included with Cillian Brennan, Dermot Coughlan, Gavin Cooney and O’Connor making way.
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
3: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg)
4: Michéal Garry (Cooraclare)
5: Ikem Ugweru (Éire Óg)
6: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
7: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
8: Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
9: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon)
11: Padraic Collins (Cratloe)
12: Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil)
13: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
Subs:
16: David Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
17: Cathal Downes (O’Currys)
18: Morgan Garry (Clondegead
19: Colm Pyne (Killimer)
20: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)
21: Dan Keating (Kilmihil)
22: Ronan Lanigan (Éire Óg)
23: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
24: Thomas Kelly (Shannon Gaels)
25: Darren Nagle (Liscannor)
26: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
