Playing in the Co-op Stores Munster senior hurling league is an opportunity for players to stake a claim for a place in the team for the upcoming league and championship according to Clare senior hurling manager Brian Lohan.
Ten players have been added to the panel for the 2023 season and “they have been working hard since we were allowed to return to training. They are all looking for an opportunity to play. There are few opportunities for people to stake a claim for inclusion in the team and this is the first real chance”, Clare’s All-Ireland winning full back from 1995 and 1997 said this week.
The Banner outfit will begin their competitive season at McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Sunday when they take on Tipperary who began their campaign last evening (Wednesday) when they played Waterford at Fraher field in Dungarvan.
The panel for Sunday’s game will be announced later this week and it will not include former captain, Pat O’Connor from Tubber who recently announced his retirement from inter county hurling.
It is expected to include a number of players who were in competitive action with their clubs up to recently in the under 21 hurling and football championships. These include Mark Rodgers who captained Scariff-Ogonnelloe to a first under 21 A hurling crown and Shane Meehan who helped his club, Banner, to a first under 21 B football title.
Brandon O’Connell, one of the stars of Ballyea’s senior championship success has earned a call up to the county squad and is expected to see some action in the coming weeks.
Clare’s first competitive home tie of the new season is set for Sunday week when Waterford will provide the opposition at Cusack Park. Former Clare player and manager Davy Fitzgerald will be in change of the Deise, having returned to the position for a second term, taking over from Liam Cahill who is now in charge of his native Tipperary
