*Clare’s Ciaran Russell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CIARAN RUSSELL is to make his first start of the year for Clare’s senior footballers this weekend.
Two-time Clare SFC winner, Russell enters the side at midfield with injury ruling out Cathal O’Connor and Darren O’Neill for their clash with Dublin in Croke Park. The Ennis man is the only member of the Clare side with experience of facing off with the Dublin players, having lined out for Kilmacud Crokes in 2019. He partners Darragh Bohannon in the centre of the field.
Apart from this change, Colm Collins and his management are keeping faith with the same lineup that suffered a disappointing third round loss to Kildare.
Kilrush’s Stephen Ryan continues between the posts while Russell’s Éire Óg teammates of Ronan Lanigan, Manus Doherty and Gavin Cooney line out in the corner back berths and corner forward respectively.
Keelan Sexton who has been struggling with a hamstring injury returns to the substitutes while Ikem Ugwueru who played the full second half against Kildare is not included in the panel.
Pearse Lillis is to anchor the defence where he will be flanked by Cian O’Dea and Alan Sweeney with Cillian Brennan at full-back.
Captain Eoin Cleary remains at eleven with Jamie Malone and Dermot Coughlan completing the half-forward line while Cooney is joined in the inside line by Emmet McMahon and Podge Collins.
Clare:
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
4: Ronan Lannigan (Éire Óg)
5: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
6: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
7: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
8: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg)
9: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
11: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
12: Dermot Coughlan (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
13: Gavin Cooney (Éire Óg)
14: Emmett McMahon (Kildysart)
15: Padraic Collins (Cratloe)
16: David Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
17: Ciarain Downes (Kilmihil)
18: Micheal Garry (Cooraclare)
19: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
20: Dan Keating (Kilmihil)
21: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
22: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
23: Darren Nagle (Liscannor)
24: Brendy Rouine (Ennistymon)
25: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
26: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
