Banner minor duo face fitness battle to be ready for Dublin

CLARE have injury worries over goalkeeper Ronan Taaffe and wing-forward Cathal Malone ahead of next Sunday’s ESB All-Ireland MHC semi-final against Dublin, with both players set to undergo fitness tests tonight.

Taaffe suffered a dislocated shoulder in training last Monday week in Leixlip in Kildare after the squad had earlier visited Croke Park ahead of Sunday’s clash. But the Tubber player’s condition has improved since and he was able to engage in non-contact work in training on Monday night. Ennistymon player Malone, who lined out at right-half-forward in this year’s campaign, also sustained a shoulder injury in training last week.

“We’re still hopeful that both players will be okay,” revealed Clare joint manager Gerry O’Connor last night. “Ronan has yet to train under contact but is getting better and Cathal is in a similar position. We’ll put both lads through their paces tonight and then talk to our physio and medical people about it.

“We’ll make a call on it then, based on how they fared when picking the team.”

If Taaffe fails to make it, substitute goalkeeper Niall Woods from Newmarket-on-Fergus is set to come in as his replacement. Alan Mulready and Cathal O’Connell would be the most likely players in the frame if Malone is ruled out, after both were introduced into the attack during the Munster final win over Waterford. Clare report no other injury worries with centre-forward Paudge Collins emerging unscathed from senior football action with his club Cratloe at the weekend.

Meanwhile right half-back Cillian Moffat is the only injury concern for Dublin ahead of the match. Moffat picked up an ankle injury last weekend and the Ballyboden St Enda’s player will continue to receive treatment in the hope of making the team for Sunday’s game. Moffat was introduced during the Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny and then claimed a starting place in the quarter-final victory over Antrim, registering three points from placed balls during that game.