*Wing back Michael Kelly is one of five Lissycasey players on the starting team. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE’S U20 footballers have made one change to their starting team as they bid to record successive wins in the Munster championship.
It has been a difficult fortnight for the entire U20 set-up with the death of strength and conditioning coach Jack Boddy following their first round victory over Tipperary. Football has been put into perspective for all involved with what has occurred and they now begin the process of returning to championship action.
Injury has forced Dermot Coughlan and his management to make one change from the side which started against the Premier County.
Ennistymon’s Louis Griffin is ruled out with a collarbone injury and exits the side at corner back with Lissycasey’s Aidan Weaver starting in his absence, bringing to five the number of Lissycasey players in the team. Coughlan admitted that he would be surprised if Griffin, an All-Ireland winning boxer would be able to feature for the remainder of phase one.
Cillian Kelly of Kildysart who was ruled out with injury for the five point win over Tipperary enters the matchday panel as a result.
Senior panellist Evan Cahill partners Seán Fennell in the centre of the field with captain Daire Culligan leading the inside line alongside Lissycasey clubmate Diarmuid McMahon and Ruben Fallon. Outside them are the half-forward line of Daragh Townsend, Colm Breen and Donncha O’Dwyer.
Though named at full back Stephen Murphy is expected to start at centre back with Diarmuid Boyle reverting to the edge of the square. Weaver and Aaron Killeen are in the corners with the industrious duo of Daniel Brody and Michael Kelly further up field on the wings.
Clare:
1: Harry O’Gorman (Cooraclare)
2: Aidan Weaver (Lissycasey)
3: Stephen Murphy (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4: Aaron Killeen (Lissycasey)
5: Daniel Brody (Ennistymon)
6: Diarmuid Boyle (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
7: Michael Kelly (Lissycasey)
8: Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
9: Seán Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
10: Darragh Townsend (Cooraclare)
11: Colm Breen (Corofin)
12: Donncha O’Dwyer (St Breckans)
13: Diarmuid McMahon (Lissycasey)
14: Daire Culligan (Lissycasey)
15: Ruben Fallon (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
Subs:
16: James Garrihy (St Breckans)
17: Aaron Townsend (Cooraclare)
18: Colm Downes (Shannon Gaels)
19: Christian Cummins (Corofin)
20: Sean O’Dea (Cooraclare)
21: Oisin McNamara (Michael Cusacks)
22: Simon Culligan (Cooraclare)
23: Seannan Kirby (Corofin)
24: Cillian Kelly (Kildysart)
