*Jamie Malone gets his first start of the Clare for the senior footballers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
COLM COLLINS has made two changes to the Clare team aiming to maintain an unbeaten run in this year’s Allianz National Football League.
Opening rounds have seen Clare beat Offaly and draw with Cork, their next task sees them head for Dr Hyde Park where Roscommon have been labelled red-hot favourite following on from victories against Cork and Meath.
Jamie Malone makes his first start of the year for Clare entering the starting fifteen in place of Shannon Gaels’ Darragh Bohannon who registered the vital goal in the first round clash with Offaly but was substituted early in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
After tying the knot last weekend, experienced defender Ciarán Russell is unavailable for the third round, in his place comes Eoghan Collins who has been named to line out at centre back.
Russell’s clubmate Manus Doherty continues at corner back in his debut season, Stephen Ryan remains as the first choice goalkeeper with Cillian Rouine also maintained at corner back.
An experienced forward line comprising of David Tubridy, Keelan Sexton, Eoin Cleary and Pearse Lillis will need to pose questions of their opposing defence if Clare are to leave Dr Hyde Park with their unbeaten status intact.
Anthony Cunningham has made two changes to the Roscommon side that picked up a 1-15 1-11 win over Meath a fortnight ago. Niall Daly and Mark Richardson have been brought into the team at centre and corner back respectively, their attack are certain to prove to be a handful for the Banner defence. Included among their forwards is Cathal Heneghan, a man with plenty of relations residing in Co Clare.
Throw-in for Sunday’s game is 2pm in Dr Hyde Park.
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
4: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6: Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis)
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckans)
8: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
9: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg)
10: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
12: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
13: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15: David Tubridy (Doonbeg)
Roscommon:
1: Colm Lavin (Éire Óg)
2: Mark Richardson (Padraig Pearses)
3: Brian Stack (St Brigids)
4: Eoin McCormack (St Dominics)
5: Dylan Ruane (Michael Glaveys)
6: Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
7: Richard Hughes (Roscommon Gaels)
8: Ultan Harney (Clann nan Gael)
9: Eddie Nolan (St Brigids)
10: Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
11: Enda Smith (Boyle)
12: Cathal Heneghan (Michael Glaveys)
13: Cian McKeon (Boyle)
14: Donie Smith (Boyle)
15: Conor Cox (Éire Óg)
