McMahon gets Banner call

DIARMUID MCMAHON, first cousin of team captain Seanie, will make his first championship start for Clare who meet Tipperary in the first round of the Guinness Munster SHC at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday.

The talented Kilmealy player teams up with Colin Lynch at midfield for a game which will mark the return to first class hurling for Jamesie O’Connor. The brilliant Clare wing forward missed most of the league because of hamstring trouble but is reported to be fit and raring to go again.

He will play at left half forward with Alan Markham in the centre. However, the Clare selectors have left a vacancy at left corner forward. Barry Murphy, who is in the running for the position, is currently carrying a leg injury and the other player pressing for inclusion at top of the left, Andrew Quinn, received a knock on the instep last weekend. Both Murphy and Quinn are due to undergo fitness tests later in the week. In the event both being ruled out Daithi O’Connell could get the nod to start.