*Brian Lohan watches on as Clare begin 2022 with a win. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
LONG-TERM injuries to Tony Kelly and Aidan McCarthy have offered a new opportunity for Clare panellists to grab a chance.
Clare senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan has said the disappointment of the lengthy spell on the sidelines for both Kelly and McCarthy have led to the window veering open for new players to try nail down a position on the county side.
Speaking following Clare’s 2-24 1-22 win over Waterford on Saturday, the two-time All-Ireland winner outlined that the Ballyea and Inagh/Kilnamona men were going to be “long-term” absentees from their lineup.
He stated, “Any time you have operations you’re going to be long-term, we’ve a number of guys that have been recovering, it gives an opportunity for other guys to come in and hopefully stake a claim for a place”.
Three-time All Star Kelly has set himself the target of returning to the field before the Allianz National Hurling League concludes, he underwent an operation in the middle of October to rectify an ankle ligament complaint. Clare begin their campaign away to Cork on February 5th with the final round fixed for March 20th where they are on the road to face Henry Shefflin’s Galway.
McCarthy, a nominee for Young Hurler of the Year broke a bone between his leg and ankle in a workplace accident and had surgery on December 13th. The prospects of him seeing game-time this year have not been ruled out.
