Colm Collins has named his starting fifteen for the Munster Senior Football semi-final which takes place this Sunday.
Clare’s side shows two changes from the team that overcame Limerick in the Munster quarter-final three weeks ago. Podge Collins and Shane Brennan are ruled out through cruciate ligament and collarbone injuries respectively. In their absence Rory Donnelly and Chris Dunning enter the fray, Donnelly’s inclusion sees Kilmacud Crokes man Pat Burke move to the edge of the square.
A positional switch sees Kilmurry/Ibrickane’s Martin McMahon named at wing-back with Dean Ryan reverting to the corner while Shane Hickey wears number seven as opposed to five which he wore against the Treaty County. Joe Hayes continues between the posts for the Banner and protection is provided for the Limerick based Garda by the full-back line of Kevin Hartnett and Éire Óg duo Ciarán Russell and Dean Ryan.
Gordon Kelly is named at centre back and he is flanked by the Kilmurry/Ibrickane pair of McMahon and Hickey. Captain Gary Brennan and Coolmeen’s Cathal O’Connor continue their strong partnership in the middle of the field. Wolfe Tones na Sionna man Chris Dunning makes his first start of fifteen at number twelve with Seán Collins on the opposing wing and Jamie Malone is selected at centre-forward. Clare’s inside line contains Eoin Cleary, Pat Burke and Rory Donnelly and the trio will need to provide a goal threat in order to boost the Banner’s cause.
Along with Podge Collins and Shane Brennan, Clare will also be without David Tubridy, Shane McGrath and Cathal McInerney who kicked the all-important point in Cusack Park three weeks ago to cement Clare’s place in Sunday’s semi-final.
Clare:
1: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey)
2: Ciarán Russell (Éire Óg)
3: Kevin Hartnett (Meelick)
4: Dean Ryan (Éire Óg)
5: Martin McMahon (Kilmurry/Ibrickane)
6: Gordon Kelly (St Josephs Miltown)
7: Shane Hickey (Kilmurry/Ibrickane)
8: Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9: Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)
10: Seán Collins (Cratloe)
11: Jamie Malone (Corofin)
12: Chris Dunning (Wolfe Tones na Sionna)
13: Eoin Cleary (St Josephs Miltown)
14: Pat Burke (Kilmacud Crokes)
15: Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare).
Panel:
16: Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey)
17: Stephen Collins (St Josephs Doora/Barefield)
18: Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry/Ibrickane)
19: Sean Haugh (O’Currys)
20: Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)
21: Jack O’Dea (Kilfenora)
22: Davy O’Halloran (Éire Óg)
23: Alan O’Neill (St Josephs Doora/Barefield)
24: Conor Brennan (Éire Óg)
25: Manus Malone (Corofin)
26: Darren Nagle (Liscannor)
