*Clare senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan. Photograph: Ruth Griffin.
CLARE’s hurlers “have had a lot” of injuries but are fortunate none of their players are out long-term, manager Brian Lohan has said.
At its height during the Allianz National Hurling League, Clare have been without twelve hurlers. The figure has fluctuated as the rounds have progressed but their stint in Division 1B has ensured the absenteeism hasn’t been too costly.
According to management, more players will become available in the next week and in advance of the Division 1B league final.
In their fifth round 1-28 0-18 win over Carlow, Brian Lohan and his management team were without a host of hurlers. They included captain Tony Kelly, former Hurler of the Year, Shane O’Donnell, two time All-Ireland winner Peter Duggan. Also sidelined are Adam Hogan, Keith Smyth, Rory Hayes, Robin Mounsey, Cian Galvin and Darragh Lohan.
Lohan and his management team welcomed back Seán Rynne for the first time, the Inagh/Kilnamona clubman was sidelined for UL’s success in the Fitzgibbon Cup. He scored a point after his introduction on forty nine minutes at wing forward.
John Conneally in defence made his return to inter-county action after overcoming a hamstring injury, he was also missing for UL’s success as a result.
Speaking on the injury situation, Clare manager Lohan commented, “we have had a lot but we are hoping to get a good few back in the next week, and good few more before the league final”.
He continued, “we hope to have Tony (Kelly) who was sick, Shane O’Donnell, Peter (Duggan) back soon. A couple of others are carrying niggles, soft tissue issues but nothing long term. It’s not looking great but not that bad either”.
Panel depth has improved during Clare’s stint in Division 1B, the two-time All-Ireland winning full back said. “The league has served us well in helping to build a panel which is what we wanted. We have used the games fairly well, lads got a bit of experience, I would love if they had got a bit more, it’s a different level to 1A”.
