Banner comeback on cards for O’Connell

Former Clare captain Brian O’Connell could return to inter-county action after being given a trial period of four to six weeks to secure a spot in Davy Fitzgerald’s squad for their Munster SHC semi-final against Waterford on June 17.

O’Connell emigrated to Australia last January but the Wolfe Tones clubman is back home and featured in a recent challenge match against Galway. Indications are Fitzgerald is willing to give O’Connell, who skippered Clare for a three-year spell between 2008 and 2010, a make or break opportunity.

Clare, who face Limerick next Saturday in a crunch game as they bid to secure promotion in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B decider, will definitely be without 2009 All-Ireland U21 winner Darach Honan for that provincial opener. Honan is recovering from a hip surgery and has missed the entire league season as well UCC’s Fitzgibbon Cup winning campaign.