Clare's Manus Doherty breaks from defence in the recent defeat to Offaly. - Pic Gerard O'Neill; Clare Echo
Clare have named their team for the Tailteann Cup Round 2B visit of Longford to Ennis on Saturday evening, with survival for the 2026 season on the line following opening round defeats for both counties.
Team captain Cillian Rouine returns to the starting XV after illness ruled him out of the defeat to Offaly a fortnight ago. The Ennistymon man lines out at centre half back with his brother Brendy and Fionn Kelleher on both wings.
Elsewhere Paul Madden's side shows plenty of continuity from Clare’s previous two championship outings. Cormac Murray, who struck a second-half against 'the Faithful' , starts at full forward and is joined in the inside line by Aaron Griffin and Mark McInerney.
The full-back line remains unchanged, with Alan Sweeney, Ronan Lanigan and Manus Doherty continuing as a settled trio in defence. Madden has also retained the midfield partnership of Clondegad's Cillian Brennan and Cooraclare's Brian McNamara.
Conor Meaney and Gavin Murray line out on either side of Ikem Ugwueru in the half-forward line, with Ugwueru’s versatility offering Clare plenty of options across the pitch.
There is also encouraging news for Banner supporters on the bench, with experienced trio Dermot Coughlan, Eoin Cleary and Emmet McMahon all returning to the matchday twenty six. While it remains unclear how close they are to a starting return, their inclusion is a major boost for the panel as they continue their recovery progress.
A victory for Clare would see them into the hat for the Round Three Draw where they would earn the right to face any from the four losing teams from this weekend’s Round 2A games.
