*Cormac Murray. Photograph: Martin Connolly
Stephen Ryan and Cormac Murray will make their senior championship debuts on Saturday as the Clare footballers kick off their Munster campaign in Cusack Park.
Waterford travel to Ennis tomorrow, it is the first time since 2014 that the sides have faced off at Cusack Park, Colm Collins’ debut outing as senior manager ended all square. Five years on, there’s a number of new bodies among the Banner’s starting fifteen with Kilrush Shamrocks’ Stephen Ryan lining out between the posts and off the back of an impressive 2018 club campaign with St Josephs Miltown, Cormac Murray is rewarded with a spot at corner forward.
Clare’s top scorer in the Allianz National League, David Tubridy who fired over 3-26 in seven games is ruled out through injury, the Doonbeg attacker has been out of competitive action since the end of March. Goalkeeping duo Robert Eyres and Eamon Tubridy are absent through injury as is regular midfielder Cathal O’Connor. UL students Keelan Sexton and Pearse Lillis have recently withdrawn from the panel to go travelling over the summer months.
Cratloe’s Sean Collins has been deemed fit to start at wing back having been doubtful last weekend. Gary Brennan has a new partner at midfield with Darragh Bohannon set to feature in championship for the first time since their July 2017 qualifier win over Laois.
Waterford are due to name their team on Friday night. Throw in at Cusack Park is at 19:00.
Clare:
1. Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2. Kevin Hartnett (Meelick)
3. Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
4. Gordon Kelly (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
5. Dean Ryan (Na Fianna)
6. Aaron Fitzgerald (Eire Og)
7. Sean Collins (Cratloe)
8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9. Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10. Kieran Malone (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
11. Eoin Cleary (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
12. Jamie Malone (Corofin)
13. Cormac Murray (St. Joseph’s Miltown)
14. Gavin Cooney (Eire Og)
15. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
