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*Tristan O’Callaghan. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
ST BRECKAN’S have received a boost ahead of their first Clare SFC final appearance since 1996 with the return of ex Clare goalkeeper Tristan O’Callaghan.
O’Callaghan moved to Australia following last year’s club campaign which made him unavailable for all of Colm Collins’ final run as Clare manager.
Tristan returned a week prior to the Clare SFC semi-final but his transfer had not been completed in time which made him unavailable for selection in their win over St Joseph’s Miltown.
His presence is a lift but also presents an almighty headache for the St Breckan’s management. Do they spring O’Callaghan in between the posts for what will be his first championship appearance of the year and stick with Mark O’Donnell who has been in goals for all but one of their outings in this year’s Clare SFC, conceding one goal in four games.
Denis O’Callaghan, Tristan’s younger brother remains a big injury doubt ahead of the county final after breaking his collarbone in the second round in the middle of August.
Former St Breckan’s captain Dale Masteron has missed all of this year’s club championship as he bounces back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. While the ex Clare panellist is understood to be making progress with his recovery, he is not expected to be in the immediate thoughts of management.
St Breckan’s manager Declan O’Keeffe told The Clare Echo, “We haven’t seen Dale yet, he had a very serious ACL injury so it will probably be a stretch to see him. Denis O’Callaghan broke his collarbone against Doora/Barefield so I don’t see him involved either.
“It is great to have Tristan back, he is such an enthusiastic and energetic guy, he flew in last weekend and it gave everyone a lift to see him. We’ve a very tight panel, we’ve four lads down in Australia like Aiden Davidson, the two Flanagans and Tristan as well. Dale is injured but to be fair to the lads they never laid down any excuses at the start of the year, we have what we have and we’re willing to work hard”.
