*Shane O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
SHANE O’Donnell is to make his first start of the year for the Clare senior hurlers in Sunday’s National Hurling League final.
O’Donnell is named to start at full-forward for Clare’s Division 1B decider against Dublin which takes place as part of a double header in TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.
Éire Óg’s Shane featured from the bench in the second round against Antrim at the beginning of February but has not lined out in competitive action since then. He forms an inside line with Mark Rodgers and Shane Meehan.
Injury rules out David McInerney as reported by The Clare Echo this week with captain Tony Kelly omitted from the matchday panel. Conor Cleary will captain the side from full-back with Rory Hayes and Conor Leen on either side of him. Eibhear Quilligan lines out between the posts.
Ex Young Hurler of the Year, Adam Hogan is another omission from the squad. Seán Rynne who started in Clare’s last league outing, a three point win over Wexford is not included among the substitutes.
There’s eight changes in total from the Wexford game. Hogan, Rynne, John Conlon, Jack Kirwan, Mark Sheedy, Ronan Kilroy, Diarmuid Stritch and Jack O’Neill all drop out of the side.
An experienced half-forward line is made up of Peter Duggan, David Reidy and David Fitzgerald.
Though named at midfield, there have been reports suggesting Darragh Lohan could line out at centre back. His younger brother Daithí is included on the bench for the first time this year where he is joined by Wolfe Tones clubmate Aron Shanagher.
Ryan Taylor is also named at midfield with the half-back line on paper comprised of Diarmuid Ryan, Niall O’Farrell and Cathal Malone.
John Conlon is included on the substitutes along with some of Clare’s standout performers in the league including Diarmuid Stritch, Jack O’Neill, Dylan McMahon, Senan Dunford and Jack Kirwan.
Clare
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
3: Conor Cleary (Kilmaley)
4: Conor Leen (Corofin)
5: Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe)
6: Niall O’Farrell (Broadford)
7: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
8: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
9: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
10: Peter Duggan (Clooney/Quin)
11: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
12: David Fitzgerald (Inagh/Kilnamona)
13: Shane Meehan (Banner)
14: Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg)
15: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
Subs:
16: Éamonn Foudy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
17: John Conlon (Clonlara)
18: Dylan McMahon (Clonlara)
19: Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
20: Diarmuid Stritch (Clonlara)
21: Jack O’Neill (Clooney/Quin)
22: Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
23: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
24: Daithí Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
25: Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones)
26: Senan Dunford (Tubber)
