*Kevin Harnett. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Clareโ€™s Kevin Harnett is unlikely to feature in this yearโ€™s championship after sustaining an achilles injury.

Approaching almost a decade as a Clare senior football panellist, the Meelick man was forced off with injury in Sundayโ€™s encounter with Cork as Colm Collinsโ€™ side picked up their first defeat of the year.

Harnett was substituted with twenty one minutes played in Clareโ€™s 0-22 1-18 defeat, the departure of the Newmarket-on-Fergus clubman also coincided with Cork taking control of the contest as they blitzed the Banner in the second quarter with six scores in succession.

Speaking after Sundayโ€™s encounter, Clare manager, Colm Collins stated, โ€œMy view of an achilles injury is he wonโ€™t play in the championship. It is one of the slowest injuries to heal,โ€ the Cratloe clubman lamented. Clare face Kerry in the Munster SFC quarter-final in Killarney on June 26th.

Collins commented that it was โ€œnot all sadโ€ as Kevin and his wife Rachel welcomed a baby girl into the world at 3am on Sunday morning.

Results from the scans to determine the extent of the injury are not known as of yet.

It does force Collins and his management team to change the planned make-up of their defence. Eoghan Collins, Dean Ryan, Alan Sweeney and Conall ร“ hรinifรฉin are among those hoping to nail down a starting jersey in the absence of Harnett.

There is some positive news on the injury front for the footballers with the manager confirming that both Podge Collins and Jamie Malone โ€œshould be in the mixโ€ for the NFL promotion clash with Mayo on Sunday week.

Related News

jennifer carroll macneill 1
Cabinet backs new model four hospital for Mid-West
Inis Cealtra Mountshannon 005
Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience records 5,784 admissions in opening season
saoirse lillis mcmahon 1
Kilkee woman pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of Kilmurry McMahon teacher
lotto ticket
Ennis motorist reveals shock at lotto win
Latest News
Inis Cealtra Mountshannon 005
Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience records 5,784 admissions in opening season
saoirse lillis mcmahon 1
Kilkee woman pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing death of Kilmurry McMahon teacher
clare v wexford 23-02-25 deirdre murphy 1
Extra โ‚ฌ1.5m needed for Caherlohan project & Clare hurlers' involvement with fundraising hurt All-Ireland defence - Murphy
clare v offaly 18-02-24 diarmuid o'donnell 1
Banner Standouts: Big names bolster seniors & fringe footballers take giant step to preserve panel spot
lotto ticket
Ennis motorist reveals shock at lotto win
Premium
Extra โ‚ฌ1.5m needed for Caherlohan project & Clare hurlers' involvement with fundraising hurt All-Ireland defence - Murphy
Banner Standouts: Big names bolster seniors & fringe footballers take giant step to preserve panel spot
Shannon man goaded Gardaรญ on social media with 'catch me if you can' message
Up to 300 jobs to be created with Cahercon gas reserve
Clare senior footballers show U20s how it's done in tame challenge

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.