Kilmurry crew boost Banner

CLARE senior boss Micheal McDermott has been boosted by the presence of five members of county senior champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane in his squad for the McGrath Cup campaign which begins on Sunday against UL in Doonbeg.

Martin McMahon and Declan Callinan were both on the 2011 panel but goalkeeper Peter O’Dwyer junior, defender Darren Hickey and attacker Stephen Moloney will be part of the Clare setup for the forthcoming season.

McDermott must plan without Mark Tubridy, left half-back on the side that narrowly lost to Down in the All-Ireland qualifiers last June, as he has emigrated to Australia while forward Niall Browne is sidelined for the next month. Newcomers include Cratloe’s Padraig Collins, who was part of the Clare minor hurling team that reached the 2010 All-Ireland final, Kilfenora’s Killian Malone and St Breckan’s Stephen Tierney.