Seven debutants for Clare's hurlers

Clare manager Ger O'Loughlin has handed Championship debuts to seven players for Bank Holiday Monday's Munster SHC semi-final against Waterford at Semple Stadium (throw-in 3pm).

Goalkeeper Donal Tuohy, defenders Cian Dillon and Conor Cooney, midfielder Nicky O'Connell and forwards Sean Collins, John Conlon and Darach Honan will all make their first Championship starts.

In total, there are five changes in personnel to the side which lost to Wexford in the Allianz NHL Division 2 final last month.

Tuohy replaces Philip Brennan between the posts, with Conor Cooney taking over from Domhnall O'Donovan in the full-back line. Cooney captained the Clare Under-21s to their inaugural All-Ireland success last year.

Brendan Bugler and Diarmuid McMahon have been drafted into the half-back line, with Gerry Quinn and Martin Murphy the players to lose out.

Brian and Nicky O'Connell continue their midfield partnership, but there are two changes to the Banner attack.

Sean Collins replaces Cormac O'Donovan at right half-forward, with Fergal Lynch preferred to Diarmuid McMahon at top of the right.

Monday's eagerly-awaited clash is the counties' 29th Championship meeting. Clare lead the way with 15 wins to Waterford's nine, while there have been four draws.

There is added intrigue to this particular game as O'Loughlin and Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald were team-mates in the Clare sides that won All-Ireland titles in 1995 and 1997.

O'Loughlin, who succeeded Mike McNamara in the Clare managerial role in December, said: "I know that Waterford are going in as favourites. They have looked impressive. They are a seasoned team and most of their panel have a couple of Munster Championship medals.

"They have brought in a few new lads this year and they have settled in well. They will reckon that they will be in the shake-up for honours this season and that's the challenge we have to face.

"I hope that our lads will be up for it. There is no pressure on Clare as everybody will be thinking that Waterford will win," he told the Clare Champion.

O'Loughlin is quietly confident that his players, particularly the younger ones, can rise to the occasion in Thurles and do their county proud.

"A number of the 21 and 22-year-olds who will be making their debuts have never been beaten because they haven't played at this level," he added.

"They will go into this game in a confident mood and will play up to the standard that they set at Under-21 level. They are very focused and will give it a right lash.

"Then we have seven or eight who have been there for the last few years and they want to get into a Munster final.

"We have experience and we have some new players and I hope they will blend and do us proud."

CLARE (SHC v Waterford): D Tuohy; P Vaughan, C Dillon, C Cooney; B Bugler, D McMahon, P Donnellan; B O'Connell (capt), N O'Connell; S Collins, J Conlon, J Clancy; F Lynch, D Honan, C Ryan.