EXCLUSIVE: Davy Fitzgerald’s Clare squad could be boosted by return of dual star for 2016

The good news keeps on coming for the Clare hurlers ahead of the start of the new GAA season.

First Podge Collins revealed that he would be committing to Davy Fitzgerald's hurling squad for the 2016 campaign, after opting to play only for his father's Clare senior football team this year. Then Clare managed to scoop up Donal Óg Cusack as one of their selectors for the new season, surprising many, but also acting as a klaxon call to their rivals of the saffron and blue's intentions for 2016. And as is typical with good luck, and its coming in threes and all that, one of the county's most talented dual players has spoken of his desire to once again hurl for his county. Cathal McInerney has revealed to SportsJOE that he intends to try and regain his place in the county panel in 2016, after opting to play football exclusively over the last 12 months at senior inter-county level. The Cratloe man, however, endured a massively frustrating year on the sidelines due to a succession of quad and hamstring injuries that limited his appearances for both club and county. Speaking at the draw for the 2016 Fitzgibbon Cup - in which McInerney's UL side will be looking to defend their third level crown - the former Clare U21 All-Ireland winner admits he would love a return to the Clare senior hurling panel, but injuries will play a key role if he is to feature under Davy Fitzgerald once again,

"I'm not sure (if he will make the Clare panel), I'll see how it goes. I have to take everything into account with injuries and I don't want a year like I had this year with injury. Playing intercounty hurling is definitely an ambition of mine in 2016."

McInerney is understood to be totally focused on returning to the hurling set up, and is unlikely to be a part of the Clare football panel for 2016. The masters student at UL previously featured for the Clare senior hurlers in the 2014 championship, making three appearances for Davy Fitzgerald's side as they lost their All-Ireland title to Wexford. Clare's preparations for 2016 have been boosted by the appointment of Donal Óg Cusack, and McInerney admits that the arrival of the Corkman into the county set-up has raised expectations,

"Speaking with the hurlers, they're excited with Donal Óg appointment. I was chatting to the Clare lads that are in UL and they're buzzing to get back training. It wasn't for the lack of trying or the lack of want that they didn't perform to their best in the last two years, but they'll be all guns out again for 2016." "In 2013 no one was expecting us to win an All-Ireland but I don't think the players have done themselves justice. They're an exceptionally talented group of players  and they know the ability that they have."

McInerney's UL side have been pitted in a very difficult group in the Fitzgibbon competition with NUIG, Mary Immaculate and DIT all looking for a place in the knockout stages. The Cratloe clubman admits that while he's hopeful of making an inter-county return, his first priority is to his college and getting himself fit again,

"I want to stay injury free anyway. I won't look too far ahead, the Fitzgibbon is my main goal and D.I.T in late January as a first game should be great so hopefully getting back in the Clare jersey is 100% an ambition too."