TEAM NEWS: Brian Lohan has declared himself fit to play for Clare in their opening round of the Munster championship against Waterford in Thurles on Sunday. However, Anthony Daly has decided to leave former team-mate Jamesie O'Connor on the sideline.
The 32-year-old veteran is expected to be used as an impact substitute at some stage in the contest. There were extenuating circumstances, as the deadly finisher had his thumb nail extracted last Sunday after damaging it while playing for his club St Joseph, Doora-Barefield.
In his absence another veteran, Niall Gilligan, will take over the short range frees, although Daithí O'Connell is another replacement who can take over this mantle if required.
The Clare management was keen to point out that all its panel are fit and well.
Lohan has been troubled by a recurring hamstring injury all season but Daly, entering his first championship campaign as manager, left the final decision up to his veteran full back for the meeting with the 2002 Munster champions. His brother Frank starts in his new-found position of full forward.
Former regulars Tony Carmody and David Hoey have also been named among the replacements. Carmody's absence from the starting line up is not surprising, as he missed a lot of the hard training throughout the winter months after opting out of the panel to concentrate on work and family commitments.
Waterford will name their side this evening. Eoin Murphy is expected to be start at full back, with Eoin McGrath moving to full forward. Andy Moloney may well lose out after being substituted the last day.
Limerick football manager Liam Kearns has made three changes from the side that was beaten by Kerry in the National League semi-final last month. Captain Tommy Stack regains his position at corner back after recovering from a finger injury. Also, Conor Fitzgerald comes back in to bolster the attack.
"We haven't had a full panel all year, while Brian Begley probably will not play at all in this campaign," said Kearns, "yet, we are reasonably settled.
"Johnny McCarthy has been doing well at full back and the return of our second best forward (Fitzgerald) is another plus.
"Tommy Stack is probably the fastest player in the team and we felt we were lacking his pace against Kerry."
Jason Stokes, suffering from a groin strain, will not be risked in midfield, and his place is taken by John Quane.
Meanwhile, Wexford talisman Mattie Forde has been named in his regular corner forward berth for Sunday's first-round Leinster football championship meeting with Louth at Parnell Park.
However, at present he is still a major doubt because of a knee complaint. Such is his importance, the management are willing to give him as much time as possible to prove his fitness. A final decision will not be made until Sunday morning.
Redmond Barry has been named at half forward as a indirect replacement for Scott Doran, a regular throughout the league but who jumped ship and headed off to London unannounced, where he is currently a part of their championship panel.
John Hudson has been included at centre forward after recovering from a blood clot in his leg which occurred in a recent challenge match.
A blank space has been left in midfield to allow Willie Carley recover from a knee problem. If he fails to recover Nicky Lambert will start in his place.
Both Down and Cavan will name their teams tonight in advance of their Ulster championship match at Casement Park, also on Sunday. Down are awaiting to see if their captain Sean Ward recovers from an ankle injury picked up in the Division Two league final. Cavan's Dermot McCabe and Peter Reilly are definitely ruled out with knee injuries.
CLARE (SH v Waterford)
D Fitzgerald; B Quinn, B Lohan, B O'Connell; C Plunkett, S McMahon, G Quinn; O Baker, D McMahon; T Griffin, C Lynch, A Markham; N Gilligan 1-8, F Lohan, D Forde.
LIMERICK (SF v Wexford)
S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, T Stack; C Mullane, S Lucey, D Reidy; J Galvin, J Quane; S Kelly, M Gavin, M O'Brien; C Fitzgerald, J Murphy, E Keating.
KERRY (SH v Cork)
T Flynn; B Blackwell, A Healy, A Keane; K O'Sullivan, J McCarthy, C Harris; A Cronin, D Young; I McCarthy, S Brick, P McCarthy; E Tuohy, J M Dooley, J Egan. Subs: J Walsh, A Boyle, M Lucid, L Boyle, E Fitzgerald, E Sheehy, S Goggin, J Fitzgerald.
WEXFORD (SF v Louth)
J Cooper; C Morris, P Wallace, N Murphy; D Breen, D Murphy, G Sunderland; P Colfer, AN Other; R Barry, J Hudson, D Fogarty; J Hegarty, D Browne, M Forde.
Two goals by Brendan Ring inspired Cork to a 2-9 to 0-13 victory victory over Limerick in the munster minor hurling semi-final at Thurles yesterday.
