This is for the ultimate prize
Cork and Clare have both named their sides of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final this weekend.
Following wins against Limerick and Kilkenny respectively the two teams have decided to go with the same starting 15 that got them to this weekend’s showdown.
Both counties will battle it out for the Liam McCarthy in front of a packed-out Croke Park, with over 80,000 tickets reportedly sold.
Cork team news
Rebels manager Pat Ryan will feature nine of the same members of the squad that appeared in the 2021 All-Ireland final while three members (Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy and Conor Lehane) are survivors from the 2013 All-Ireland final defeat against this weekend’s opponents.
Eoin Downey, Ciarán Joyce, Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly will all play in their first final for their county.
Cork Starting 15 and bench to face Clare:
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons),
3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers),
4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra – captain)
5. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr),
6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers),
7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8.  Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum),
9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
10. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills),
11. Shane Barrett (Blarney),
12. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers),
14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock),
15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)
Subs
16. Brion Saunderson (Midleton)
17. Damien Cahalane (St.Finbarr’s)
18. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s)
19. Tommy O’ Connell (Midleton)
20. Luke Meade (Newcestown)
21. Ethan Twomey (St.Finbarr’s)
22. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
23. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields)
24. Shane Kingston (Douglas)
25. Padraig Power (Blarney)
26. Robbie O’Flynn (Erin’s Own)
Clare team news
Like Cork, Brian Lohan will also have survivors from the 2013 encounter between the two sides (Â John Conlon, David McInerney, Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell).
Perhaps one of Lohan’s biggest calls is to not run the risk of starting Ryan Taylor, despite his impressive cameo from off the bench in the semi-final victory against Kilkenny.
Taylor has only recently returned from a cruciate injury and therefore is still probably not deemed fit enough to play the full 70 minutes.
Clare starting 15 and bench to face Cork
1. Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle)
2. Adam Hogan (Feakle),
3. Conor Cleary (Kilmaley — captain),
4. Conor Leen (Corofin)
5. Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe),
6. John Conlon (Clonlara),
7. David McInerney (Tulla),
9. Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge),
10. Tony Kelly (Ballyea)
8. David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona),
14. Shane O’Donnell (Éire Óg Ennis),
12. Peter Duggan (Clooney-Quin)
13. Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona),
11. Mark Rodgers (Scariff),
15. David Reidy (Éire Óg Ennis)
Subs
16. Cian Broderick (Clarecastle)
17. Rory Hayes (Wole Tones na Sionna)
18. Paul Flanagan (Ballyea)
19. Cian Galvin (Clarecastle)
20. Darragh Lohan (Wole Tones na Sionna)
21. Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin)
22. Sedna Morey (Sixmilebridge)
23. Aron Shanagher (Wole Tones na Sionna)
24. Ian Galvin (Clonlara)
25. Shane Meehan (Banner)
26. Robin Mounsey (Ruan)
Related links:
- Limerick hurling star Kyle Hayes to appear in court over dangerous driving charge
- Davy Fitz on on the senior hurling offer he would ‘definitely listen’ to
- Pat Ryan’s take on Cork celebrating their win is hugely refreshing to see