ALL-IRELAND champions Clare have named the same side that won last September's historic victory to embark on their first defence in Sunday's eagerly awaited Munster hurling semi-final against Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.

This had been largely expected after the evidence of recent challenge matches. The main quest0 mark hung over centrefield where Ronan O'Hara was expected to come strongly into contention for a place in the position he filled regularly during the league.

In the end, Fergal Hegarty - who has missed recent matches because of academic commitments - held off the challenge.

Elsewhere, there was a suggestion that a late burst of good form from Eamonn Taaffe, who scored the decisive goal in last year's All-Ireland, might see him make the starting line-up, but again Ger Loughnane and his selectors held back. Both O'Hara and Taaffe are on the substitutes' panel.

Another tenant of the bench is Stephen Sheedy who missed last year's championship with a knee injury. Sheedy is likely to come into the reckoning at some stage next Sunday.

Jamesie O'Connor, who last year switched with great effect between the half forward line and centrefield, is expected to concentrate on attacking duties this summer.

Meanwhile, Cavan's manager Martin McHugh and his selectors have named three championship debutants for their Ulster football first-round tie with Antrim at Casement Park.

Corner back Philip Kermath and corner forwards Larry Reilly and Jason Reilly all make their first appearance. Centre back Ciaran Brady has previously played for Cavan but not under McHugh's management.

There are five changes from blast year's Ulster final. Aidan Watters, John Brady and Tommy Smith are gone from the panel whereas Adrian Lambe and John Donnellan sit on the bench this weekend.

The side is fairly recognisable from the league during which Cavan gained promotion to Division One and ran eventual winners Derry close in the quarter-final.

Newcomer Larry Reilly, at right-corner-forward, is a brother of Peter Reilly and substitute Michael Reilly, all of Knockbride, but none of them are related to Belturbet's Jason Reilly in the left corner.

Antrim, who haven't won a championship match for 14 years when coincidentally, they beat Cavan, trained last night but have put off selecting a team until tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, Galway footballers have also deferred selection until tomorrow for Sunday's Connacht semi-final against Leitrim in Tuam. Galway have a number of injury worries. Leitrim name tonight.

P J Carroll, whose two-year appointment as manager of the Sligo county team is now up, is to consider his future involvement with the team over the summer months.

Dublin's Paul Clarke was sent off last night in a county championship match between his club Whitehall Colmcilles and Ballymun Kickhams at Naomh Barrog's ground. Clarke appeared to strike an opponent but nothing will be decided until the referee's report is handed in to the county board. Clarke was omitted from the Dublin line-up last Sunday when the champions defeated Westmeath.