*Mark Rodgers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
SCARIFF captain, Mark Rodgers is a major injury doubt ahead of this weekend’s TUS Clare SHC quarter-finals while his county teammate Conor Cleary has undergone a shoulder operation.
Rodgers was sidelined for Scariff’s third round win over O’Callaghans Mills which secured their place in the last eight for the second year in a row.
All-Ireland winner Rodgers is understood to have suffered a broken bone in his foot in recent weeks which left the East Clare side without their marquee forward in their last outing and question marks remain over his availability for Saturday’s quarter-final versus Cratloe.
He was wearing a protective boot whilst on the sideline in Dr Daly Park two weeks ago but the Young Hurler of the Year has been able to remove the boot in recent days.
Speaking to The Clare Eco, Scariff manager Mark McKenna did not rule out the possibility of Rodgers featuring in the last eight. “We are hopeful he will make a swift return to action,” he said.
His availability is considered to be a deciding factor in who will prevail for Saturday’s clash. Speaking on The Clare Echo’s sporting podcast, The Water Break, Conor McNamara who managed Rodgers when Scariff/Ogonnelloe were crowned U21A champions in December 2022.
McNamara commented, “it came to light at a training session, it isn’t like it is a two week break from the last game, it only came to light ten days before the third round, a broken bone will be four weeks minimum, he is out for the quarter-final as far as I’m concerned”. This prompted ex Cratloe manager, Conor Earley to respond, “I’d be shocked if he is not playing”.
Meanwhile, Conor Cleary has undergone an operation for a long-standing shoulder injury. This means the All-Ireland winning full-back will miss St Joseph’s Miltown’s quarter-final against neighbours Kilmurry Ibrickane in the Clare SFC next weekend.
Cleary was forced off during the All-Ireland final win over Cork when a reoccurring shoulder injury reared its head. The same injury kept the Rice College teacher out of Clare’s defeat to Limerick in last year’s Munster final.
Medics in the Clare set-up including Dr Kathryn Fahy who is regarded as a shoulder specialist had been encouraging the Miltown Malbay man to undergo the operation. The timeframe of the recovery means that he may miss opening rounds of the Allianz National Hurling League next season.
