*Shane O’Donnell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. SHANE O’Donnell is to make his first start of the year for the Clare senior hurlers in Sunday’s National Hurling League final.
*Shane Meehan races onto the ball. Photograph: Ruth Griffin. CLARE’s hurlers have as expected sealed promotion back to Division 1A in the Allianz National Hurling League and secured an upcoming spot in the 1B final.
*Clare goalkeeper, Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. IN what will likely be one of Clare’s tightest league encounters, big scores at vital moments helped kick start the Banner’s push for promotion in the National Hurling League.
*Tony Kelly scores Clare’s third goal. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE emerged victors over Dublin by two points in a hard-fought tie to start their quest to get back to the top tier of the Allianz National Hurling League.
*Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan is back from a serious knee injury ahead of schedule to help lead the county’s quest for promotion back to the top flight of the Allianz National Hurling League.
*Oisin Donnellan has assumed the mantle of free taker in the absence of Shane McGrath. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. FEAKLE’s defence of their Clare SHC title has saw them battle an increasing amount of injuries but the mantra within their dressing room is “next man up”.
*Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. CLARE GOALKEEPER Eibhear Quilligan undergoes surgery this week.
*Feakle captain, Oisin Donnellan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. COUNTY CHAMPIONS Feakle are braced for “a crunch game” with Newmarket-on-Fergus in the second round of the TUS Clare SHC.
*Shane McGrath of Feakle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. FEAKLE begin the defence of their title as Clare SHC under-strength in terms of personnel but not lacking when it comes to belief.
*Cathal Malone gets away from Tim O’Mahony. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill. A DRAMATIC finish saw Clare start their Munster championship with a draw at home to Cork, there were plenty spills and thrills as Eoin Brennan rates the performances of the men in saffron and blue.