Lohan doubtful for the Banner

Frank Lohan, the Clare hurlers' new captain, is expected to miss their National Hurling League opener away to Down on Sunday.

The Wolfe Tones defender is nursing a finger injury and is unlikely to be risked by new manager Tony Considine, with clashes against Wexford, Waterford and Offaly to follow next month.

Injuries to Gerry O'Grady and Anthony Kilmartin are being monitored by the Clare management, with some members of the panel also recovering from the 'flu.

Considine is not expected to confirm his starting side until Sunday morning.

Jonathan Clancy and Bernard Gaffney, two members of the Clare league panel, scored a point apiece in today's 1-14 to 0-14 Fitzgibbon Cup win for Limerick IT over Waterford IT.

Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald, the LIT manager, watched on from the sidelines at Moylish as his charges booked a home quarter-final meeting with UCD next week.

Fitzgerald's name was not included on the Clare panel for the league, following his dispute over training arrangements with Considine.

In this afternoon's other Fitzgibbon Cup tie, Mark Flaherty enhanced his reputation as a solid free-taker as he shot six placed balls in GMIT's 1-12 to 0-10 defeat of St. Pat's of Drumcondra.

Flaherty came on as a substitute for Clare in last month's Waterford Crystal Cup semi-final loss to Tipperary.