*Patrick Finnernan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
LEINSTER champions Kilkenny stand in Clare’s way of making back to back All-Ireland minor hurling finals for the first time.
Clare will line out in the All-Ireland minor hurling final for the third season in a row when they make the journey to FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles on Sunday, the game commences at 1pm.
Brian O’Connell’s side recorded a 2-16 0-13 win over Wexford in the quarter-final after eventually shaking off the threat of the Model County.
Captain Marc O’Brien is ruled out for the season with injury but apart from this Clare are close to full strength for the tie and will be looking to Liam Murphy, Harry Doherty, Rian Mulcahy, Paul Rodgers, Patrick Finnernan, Dara Kennedy and Matthew Corbett to set the way in Sunday’s showdown.
Indeed an unchanged Clare team has been named for the tie.
Clare:
1: Matthew Crotty (Scariff)
2: Darren Moroney (Éire Óg)
3: Seán McNamara (Clooney/Quin)
4: Seán Óg Kilkenny (Bodyke)
5: Dara Kennedy (Ballyea)
6: James Cullinan (Ruan)
7: Rian Mulcahy (Éire Óg)
8: Graham Ball (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
9: Matthew Corbett (Clooney/Quin)
10: Conor Ralph (Clarecastle)
11: Patrick Finnernan (Clooney/Quin)
12: Harry Doherty (Clarecastle)
13: Tadhg Lohan (Cratloe)
14: Paul Rodgers (Scariff)
15: Liam Murphy (O’Callaghans Mills)
Subs:
16: Jack Lovett (Broadford)
17: Ryan Hayes (Tulla)
18: Éanna Collins (Scariff)
19: Evan Crimmins (Newmarket-on-Fergus)
20: Darragh McNamara (Clooney/Quin)
21: Darragh Ball (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
22: Jerry O’Connor (Clooney/Quin)
23: Roan McDermott (Éire Óg)
24: Michael Vaughan (Broadford)
25: Cillian McGrath (Clonlara)
26: Luke McGuane (Inagh/Kilnamona)
27: Jack O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge)
28: Jake Gibbons (Whitegate)
29: Eoin Fitzpatrick (Banner)
30: Cian O’Callaghan (Ballyea)
31: Marc O’Brien (Cratloe)
32: Darragh Dillon (Clonlara)
33: Conor Geraghty (Smith O’Briens)
34: Mark Mullins (Sixmilebridge)
35: Aaron Moloney (Killanena)
