Clare blow as Pat Donnellan feared out for the season

Clare fear Pat Donnellan may have suffered a season-ending cruciate tear following a challenge game last weekend.

The 2013 All-Ireland winning captain will undergo further scans in Waterford today after initial ones indicated he has damaged the ligament.

Defender-cum-midfielder Donnellan, 31 in June, hurt his knee in challenging for a ball during a game against Limerick club Na Piarsaigh on Saturday.

Donnellan’s news comes as it was announced yesterday evening that Paul Kinnerk has rejoined Clare’s management team as a coach/selector.

The former Limerick footballer was previously a coach to the team for three seasons between 2012 and 2014 before he stepped down last season to travel.

“I am delighted to welcome Paul back into our set-up as his experience, expertise and knowledge of the existing panel of players will complement what is already a high quality backroom team,” manager Davy Fitzgerald said in a statement.

“I initially spoke with Paul during last summer and then several times throughout the winter about getting him involved with Clare for the 2016 season but due to personal commitments he was unable to consider the invitation until very recently.

“The existing coaching staff of Dónal Óg Cusack (coach/selector), Aonghus O’Brien (coach), and Seoirse Bulfin (coach) have been part of this process having met with Paul and they are delighted to welcome him into the coaching set-up.”

Kinnerk had been sought by Limerick’s senior team this season but nothing came to pass. He was, however, appointed to his native county’s hurling academy having already agreed to a similar role with Limerick’s football underage structure.

Fitzgerald yesterday confirmed Kinnerk’s commitment to both will be unaffected by his return to the Clare group.

Meanwhile, Stephen Daniels has opted out of the Waterford senior hurling panel this season.

The De La Salle man is expected to spend 2016 travelling.