Clare v Cork: All-Ireland SHC Qualifier preview
Saturday 11 July 2015 23:49, UK
Clare and Cork lock horns for the fifth time in three years in Saturday’s crucial All-Ireland SHC Qualifier in Semple Stadium.
Both counties got back to winning ways last weekend after disappointing exits from the Munster Championship, but they travel to Thurles knowing defeat spells the end of their summer.
Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy has kept faith with the side that beat Wexford by eight points last weekend.
Conor Lehane is named at half-forward, although he partnered Seamus Harnedy in a prolific two-man full-forward line at Wexford Park which yielded 2-7 from play.
Patrick Horgan, who scored 0-9 against Wexford, is once again set to be given licence to drift outfield, with Mark Ellis expected to continue as a sweeper after excelling in the role against the Model County.
Cork have won three of the last five meetings between the counties, including a 2-23 to 2-18 victory in last year’s successful Munster Championship campaign, and although they have only tasted defeat once, it was a painful one as Clare put five goals past the Rebels in the 2013 All-Ireland final replay.
The Banner registered their first Championship victory in 21 months against Offaly last Saturday, easing to a 20-point success, and Davy Fitzgerald has named an unchanged side.
All six forwards got on the scoresheet in Ennis with Conor McGrath scoring 1-4 from play and Shane O’Donnell getting back among the goals, while Tony Kelly hit 0-8 in an excellent all-round display.
2013 All Star Colm Galvin also came on as a late substitute, having rejoined the panel late last month after returning from the United States, and he is expected to be given a more prominent role in Thurles.
“The hunger in the camp and in the dressing room, it’s there,” said Fitzgerald.
“A lot of the lads won an All-Ireland when they were 20 years of age. I said this after winning the All-ireland - to win three Under 21s and a senior at such a young age, it’s hard to keep motivating players.”
Clare: Patrick Kelly; David McInerney, Cian Dillon, Seadna Morey; Brendan Bugler, Pat O’Connor, Jack Browne; Conor Ryan, Tony Kelly; John Conlon, Colin Ryan, Shane Golden; Darach Honan, Shane O’Donnell, Conor McGrath.
Cork: Anthony Nash; Damien Cahalane, Stephen McDonnell, Brian Murphy; Aidan Walsh, Mark Ellis, Cormac Murphy; Daniel Kearney, Bill Cooper; Conor Lehane, Patrick Cronin, Brian Lawton; Alan Cadogan, Seamus Harnedy, Patrick Horgan.
Watch Clare v Cork live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday from 6.30pm or get a Sky Sports Pass and watch GAA without a contract on NOW TV
