*Alan Sweeney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CLARE’S team for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC round three clash with Derry has been named.
It shows just one change from the side which lost by five points to Monaghan two weeks ago, a result which ended the county’s championship aspirations for 2023.
Full-back Cillian Brennan who has struggled with injury this season bows out of the team with Ciaran Russell getting the number three jersey and a starting spot for Alan Sweeney at wing-back. It’s an-all Éire Óg full-back line with Manus Doherty and Ronan Lanigan on either side of the experienced Garda.
Pearse Lillis continues at centre back with Jamie Malone at wing forward, Cillian Rouine is at wing back for the second game in a row with Malone joined by Daniel Walsh and Emmet McMahon in the half-forward line.
Midfield duo Cathal O’Connor and Darragh Bohannon who were two of Clare’s better performers against Monaghan continuing in the middle of the pitch.
Mark McInerney gets a successive championship start in the Clare full-forward line where Keelan Sexton and Podge Collins complete the line-up.
Thomas Kelly, Tom McDonald, Cillian McGroary and Fergal Guinane are all listed among the substitutes with the quartet hoping to get their championship debuts in Pearse Park.
Clare:
1: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks)
2: Ronan Lannigan (Éire Óg)
3: Ciaran Russell (Éire Óg)
4: Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
5: Alan Sweeney (St Breckan’s)
6: Pearse Lillis (Cooraclare)
7: Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
8: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
9: Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels)
10: Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
11: Emmett McMahon (Kildysart)
12: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
13: Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
14: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15: Padraic Collins (Cratloe)
Subs:
16: David Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
17: Michéal Garry (Cooraclare)
18: Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey)
19: Shane Griffin (Lissycasey)
20: Thomas Kelly (Shannon Gaels)
21: Tom McDonald (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
22: Brian McNamara (Cooraclare)
23: Ikem Ugweru (Éire Óg)
24: Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg)
25: Fergal Guinnane (Kildysart)
26: Cillian McGrory (Corofin)
27: Darren Nagle (Liscannor)
28: Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s Miltown)
29: Cillian Brennan (Clondegad)
30: Colm Pyne (Killimer)
