Quinn injury could create space for Baker in Clare line-up

NO place yet on the starting 15 for Clare stalwart Ollie Baker, but the possibility that one of the principal heroes of ’95 and ’97 might still get in hasn’t yet been ruled out.

Wing-back Gerry Quinn is in a battle for fitness, but if he fails the Clare manager has a number of options open to him. One would be a direct replacement in-form Conor Plunkett for Quinn at wing-back. Another possibility would see John Reddan drop back from midfield to the half-back line, where he has done most of his hurling (admittedly in the centre), with Baker coming in to man the middle alongside his old partner Colin Lynch.

Speaking of Gerry Quinn, Lyons stated that the Corofin man, out since a broken hand in a controversial off-the-ball incident late in the semi-final win over Waterford, would be given every chance of proving his fitness.

"We won't know for sure 'til the weekend how he is. He had the pins out today, and the hand is still very tender. The surgeon did say we'd have to leave it a minimum of three weeks, but in fairness to Gerry, he did ask for every chance, and we agreed to give it to him. We said we'd leave it as late as possible. We're sticking by that.Naming AN Other, there's no guarantee, we'll just have to wait and see."

Sunday will be D-Day then for Quinn, but given that it will still be just four weeks since the blow that shattered his finger and less than a week after the surgery to remove the pins, the hand will still be very sore and vulnerable to even the slightest impact, never mind another direct blow. A bit crazy, it would seem, for any individual to want to play in what will be a very intense game.

But Lyons, himself just recently retired, fully appreciates the drive in his player. "Well it is an All-Ireland final, you don't want to miss it. I think he's entitled to that. He's been keeping in shape, able to run for the last 10 days. He has a slim chance but look it, we'll see. Sunday morning will be the final test."

As for starting Baker, the temptation was there anyway, even without Quinn's injury. "Oh sure there was fierce temptation to start him, he's playing very well, very fit. But we really won't know. Gerry's hand is sore today, he's just after getting the pins out, so we really won't know 'til the weekend."

The only change to the panel is the addition of Gordon Malone from the Whitegate club. Recently recovered from injury, Malone is no stranger to Croke Park, another member of the 1997 minor team that won Clare's only All-Ireland title at that grade.

Clare Subs: G. O'Connell (Clonlara), C. Harrisson (Cloony), K. Kennedy (St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield), C. Plunkett (Clarecastle); D. McMahon (Kilmaley), O. Baker (St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield), A. Quinn (Tulla), C. Earlie (Tubber), G. Considine (Cratloe), J. Considine (St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield), R. O'Looney (Inagh), P. Vaughan (Crusheen), B. Nugent (Eire Og), D. Kennedy (St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield), G. Malone (Whitegate).