CLARE’S 2011 MUNSTER minor title winning captain Tony Kelly is in line to make his competitive senior hurling debut for the county in next Saturday’s eagerly-awaited All-Ireland SHC phase two qualifier against Dublin in Ennis.
Leaving Certificate commitments have resulted in the Ballyea youngster not featuring for the Clare senior side to date this season but having completed his exams he is now strongly in the frame for the meeting with Anthony Daly’s team.
Kelly, who caught the eye for the Clare teams that won the last two provincial minor titles and also played for the county U21 side last summer, has displayed impressive form in training recently.
He also fired home 1-3 for the Clare intermediate side who defeated Waterford in the curtain-raiser to the Munster senior clash between the counties last month.
If the teenager does not manage to force his way into the starting line-up, it is expected that he will see game time at some stage during the course of the encounter, with the versatility that sees him comfortable playing in a variety of roles set to make him a valuable addition to Davy Fitzgerald’s charges.
Apart from the claims for inclusion being made by Kelly, it looks possible that Fitzgerald will be pressed into making a change from the side that lost out narrowly to Waterford due to an injury concern over wing-forward Enda Barrett that ruled him out for his club Newmarket-on-Fergus in a recent county senior championship game.
If Barrett is unavailable then Fergal Lynch will be a prime candidate to replace him having been introduced at wing-forward for that Waterford game. The return of Sean Collins to full fitness is a boost to Clare after the Cratloe attacker missed the meeting with Déise having injured his hamstring in a challenge game against Cork in the build-up to that match. Collins was replaced by his younger brother Padraig for that game but will now be battling to secure a starting place.
In defence it is expected that corner-back Domhnall O’Donovan will be fit to play having fought back from the head injury that he sustained in club action for Clonlara the week after the Waterford match. One player who will definitely be absent is attacking panellist Daire Keane as the 2010 Munster minor winner is sidelined after breaking his leg.
