Athenry boost as star forward Cloonan to return for final

ATHENRY are increasingly hopeful that Eugene Cloonan will recover from injury in time for Sunday’s Galway SHC final against holders Portumna.

The inter-county forward had to leave the field during the club’s semi-final win over Gort two weeks ago due to the recurrence of a back injury. Club officials were initially sceptical of the player’s chances of making the decider but secretary Michael Quinn yesterday intimated that their attacking talisman would make the line-up.

Athenry were also awaiting news last night of defender Shane Donoghue’s appeal against a six-month ban picked up in the ill-tempered quarter-final win over Loughrea.