Clare unchanged for showdown with Wexford

Clare are set to field an unchanged team in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC third phase qualifier against Wexford at Semple Stadium (throw-in 5pm).

Shane O'Donnell, who scored their only goal against Laois as a second half substitute, has failed to force his way into the side with manager Davy Fitzgerald keeping faith with the 15 starters from that 1-32 to 0-15 hammering of the midlanders.

Darach Honan has reportedly been struggling with an injury this week but he is selected at full-forward. Free-taker Colin Ryan, who tallied up 0-11 against Laois last weekend, continues his midfield partnership with Colm Galvin.

Clare were comfortable winners over Wexford in the 2005 and 2006 All-Ireland quarter-finals but corner back Cian Dillon, who made his Championship bow in 2010, expects the Banner men will be in for a much tougher encounter in Thurles.

Speaking to the Clare Champion after the Laois game, Dillon said: "We have only a week to regroup, but we will be back quickly and keep the heads down. We saw Wexford against Dublin. They are strong and quick in the air and we are expecting a huge challenge.

"Against Cork, we were disappointed that we didn't respond when they started the second half well. When we regrouped, we focused on really fighting when teams get the upper hand so that we would be able to respond. We have trained hard all year for that and today we were able to push on.

"We went in with a comfortable lead at half-time and our main focus was to tag on a few more scores early in the second half and try and put them away. When we did that in the first 10 minutes of the new half, we were able to bring on some fresh legs and seal the deal."

CLARE (SHC v Wexford): Patrick Kelly; Domhnall O'Donovan, David McInerney, Cian Dillon; Brendan Bugler, Patrick Donnellan, Patrick O'Connor; Colm Galvin, Colin Ryan; John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Peter Duggan; Padraic Collins, Darach Honan, Conor McGrath.