CLARE HEAD to Semple Stadium on Thurles this Sunday determined to end the county’s twenty four year drought for a Munster senior championship.
Sunday’s fixture looks to have come too soon for both Aidan McCarthy and Mark Rodgers who continue their recoveries from a broken bone and knee injuries respectively. It is hoped that the duo will be back in the mix for the All-Ireland series.
Having made his first championship start of the year two weeks ago, Éire Óg’s David Reidy is available for selection.
No major changes are expected to the Clare side with the exception of the Clare attack where the quartet of Ian Galvin, Shane Meehan, David Reidy and Robin Mounsey are battling for two positions.
A three-time Munster SHC winner, Clare boss Brian Lohan started at full-back on the last occasion the Banner County were crowned provincial winners. He’s now towing the sideline as manager with Ken Ralph, James Moran, Sean Treacy and Shane Hassett part of his management team.
Reaching the Munster final is just reward for the efforts extended by all involved, Lohan said. “Guys are working hard. They have made an awful lot of commitments, they have put in a tremendous effort for the last couple of months and it’s great for those guys that it has been rewarded but we all know the challenge we are facing next”.
Indeed they face a powerful Limerick side this weekend, their physicality has always been an aspect referenced by Lohan. “Everyone knows what Limerick do, the big problem is they are such a powerful team and they have got such quality all over the field. Everyone has known that for the last couple of years and the winning streak they have been on is testament to that. We are under no illusions as to what is facing us”.
