*Gerry O’Connor. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare were happy at half-time to trail by six points with the wind in their favour but joint manager Gerry O’Connor admitted the concession of Seamus Callanan’s goal on forty minutes “knocked the stuffing” out of his side.
*Patrick O’Connor holds off Tom Devine in the 2018 Munster championship. PHOTO: Martin Connolly In anticipation for Clare’s Munster SHC opener with Waterford, little adaptations were made to their training routine such as the layout of Cusack Park to properly prepare for the environment that would exist at Walsh Park.
*David Fitzgerald. Photograph: Martin Connolly Championship hurling ain’t easy, for David Fitzgerald not alone had he to aim for an impeccable performance for the Clare seniors but he had to combine it with studying for equally as important college exams.
*Conor Ryan in action for Clare. Photograph: INPHO Cratloe’s Ryan family have been very generous with their contributions and commitment to Clare hurling teams down through the years, a new chapter will begin on Sunday with Diarmuid expected to get his senior debut following in the footsteps of older brother Conor.
*Tony Kelly’s shot is blocked by Kieran Bennett during their Munster League meeting in January. Photograph: Martin Connolly Their League quarter-final defeat to Waterford in Walsh Park was the warm-up and Sunday is the real deal as Clare aim to get their Munster senior hurling championship campaign off to a winning start.
*Jack Browne & Shane Bennett will renew acquaintances on Sunday. Photograph: Martin Connolly Both Clare and Waterford have announced their starting teams for Sunday’s Munster senior hurling championship clash.
Sixmilebridge’s Jamie Shanahan is to miss the entire 2019 Munster senior hurling championship.
*Photograph: Martin Connolly Donal Moloney has been around the block in hurling terms but Sunday marked a first for the Clare Joint Manager.
*Niall Deasy & Michael Breen. Photograph: Martin Connolly Clare have made one change from the side which survived a Wexford comeback last weekend for Sunday’s final round of the Allianz NHL against Limerick. Ballyea’s Niall Deasy comes into the side in place of John Conlon. Despite management expressing confidence in the aftermath of Sunday’s three …
*Diarmuid Ryan. Photograph: Martin Connolly Cutting down on the amount of frees conceded was worked on all week in training, it was evident in the eyes of Diarmuid Ryan whose focus has now switched to making the league quarter-finals. In 2017, the Mary Immaculate College student was wing back on the Clare minor side that …