*Ikem Ugwueru. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
IKEM UGWUERU is a major doubt for Clare’s Munster semi-final while Eoin Cleary is understood to have recovered in time to get to nod to start.
Peter Keane’s first championship game as Clare senior football manager takes place in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Cíosóg this Saturday at 2pm as they welcome Tipperary to Ennis for the Munster semi-final.
For this encounter, a leg injury has Ikem Ugwueru in a race against time to feature for his county. The powerful utility man who made his championship debut for Clare in the 2023 Munster semi-final win over Limerick is believed to have picked up the knock in training and is now regarded as doubtful to start Saturday’s game.
Among the potential replacements in Ikem’s absence include Connor Meaney of Lissycasey who featured at wing back from the off in two of Clare’s Allianz National Football League encounters. However, a hamstring injury is believed to have curtailed his chances of getting the nod.
Ruled out for Saturday’s game is midfielder Seán McAllister. The Clare U20 sustained an injury during their 2-16 0-17 loss to Tipperary on Tuesday last. The Clondegad man remains in a sling after sustaining a heavy fall to his shoulder during that clash played at New Inn. His teammate at U20 and senior level, Evan Cahill did not form part of the U20 squad for Tuesday’s hammering to Kerry suggesting that he is in line to make his debut from the bench for the county seniors this weekend.
Injury forced Eoin Cleary off in Clare’s final round league game with Offaly but the former county captain has recovered in time to form part of the Banner attack for Saturday’s semi-final. It was a rib injury that saw him leave the field early in that clash and a back injury that prompted Keelan Sexton’s withdrawal but the duo are both on course to make their first championship appearances since 2023.
Elsewhere, Eamon Tubridy is set to make his first championship appearance since 2018 between the posts while the defence will be comprised of captain Cillian Brennan, Éire Óg duo Ronan Lanigan and Manus Doherty plus Cillian Rouine of Lahinch at centre back.
Brian McNamara and Emmet McMahon are the expected midfield pairing for Clare with Sexton, Cleary, Aaron Griffin and Dermot Coughlan to occupy key roles in the forward line.
