*Shane Woods. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
SHANE WOODS and Daithí Lohan are set to make their Allianz National Hurling League debuts for Clare this weekend.
Both defenders have been named to start in defence at corner back and wing back respectively as an already relegated Clare take on Tipperary in the final round of the league, the game taking place at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles at 19:30.
Inagh/Kilnamona’s Woods is a former Clare minor and U20 defender where he lined out at full-back and wing-back respectively. He wore the number three jersey for his club last year and impressed as Tomás Kelly’s made the Clare SHC semi-finals and Clare Cup final.
A first senior appearance at inter-county level awaits Daithí Lohan. A Fitzgibbon Cup winner with Mary Immaculate College, he was full-back for Wolfe Tones when they won the Clare IHC final last season. He played midfield for Clare’s U20s when they reached the Munster final in 2023. He is a younger brother of fellow panellist Darragh and a nephew of the Clare manager, Brian.
Gearoid Sheedy of Ogonnelloe has been handed a first start in the Allianz National Hurling League. He has been named at corner-forward alongside Scariff’s Mark Rodgers with Shane Meehan of the Banner listed at full-forward.
Suspension means Clare are without both David Fitzgerald and Peter Duggan for the trip to Tipp.
In total, there’s five changes from the Clare side which were trounced by Cork a fortnight ago. Woods, Lohan, Sheedy, Robin Mounsey and Shane Meehan enter the side with Fitzgerald, Darragh Lohan, Conor Leen, Jack O’Neill and Aidan McCarthy omitted.
Clare:
1: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2: Adam Hogan (Feakle)
3: Conor Cleary (Kilmaley)
4: Shane Woods (Inagh/Kilnamona)
5: Daithí Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
6: John Conlon (Clonlara)
7: David McInerney (Tulla)
8: Ryan Taylor (Clooney/Quin)
9: Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge)
10: Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
11: Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
12: Seán Rynne (Inagh/Kilnamona)
13: Gearoid Sheedy (Ogonnelloe)
14: Shane Meehan (Banner)
15: Mark Rodgers (Scariff)
Subs:
16: Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17: Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones)
18: Jack Kirwan (Parteen/Meelick)
19: Ian Macnamara (Killanena)
20: Darragh Lohan (Wolfe Tones)
21: Colm O’Meara (Clonlara)
22: Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
23: David Reidy (Éire Óg)
24: Aidan McCarthy (Inagh/Kilnamona)
25: David Conroy (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
26: Paddy Donnellan (Broadford)
