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.

Last year’s captain Pat Vaughan faces a race against time as he is also nursing a hip injury.

Limerick have serious injury concerns over attacker Conor Allis and defender Tom Condon. Allis, who rose to prominence in recent seasons with fine displays for the Limerick U21’s and UCD Fitzgibbon Cup side, impressed during the league before sustaining a hand injury in last Sunday’s victory over Antrim in Belfast. The Croom clubman required five stitches but despite an x-ray revealing no broken bones, it isn’t certain he will play.

Defender Tom Condon is also doubtful with a wrist injury incurred in the Casement Park clash while Limerick will continue to be without Declan Hannon, sidelined with a groin injury, and Seamus Hickey, not due home from PHD studies in New York until next week.

The Longford hurling squad are debating whether they will enter the Lory Meagher Cup this summer.

The midlands county, who claimed the title in the lower-tier competition in 2010, were unable to field a team for their Division 3B league clash against Fermanagh last Sunday.

Longford hurling board chairman Gerry Minnock insists the lack of playing numbers is due to retirements and emigration.

“We only have three clubs in the county, Clonguish, Longford Slashers and Wolfe Tones.

Football is very strong and dual players mainly choose that.

” It’s up to the players really whether we’ll line out in the Lory Meagher Cup this year.”