Sport

Clare veteran set for return to duty

DAVY FITZGERALD will make his first appearance in a Clare shirt for almost 17 months against Kilkenny in a challenge game next…

Tue Feb 26 2008 - 00:00

DAVY FITZGERALD will make his first appearance in a Clare shirt for almost 17 months against Kilkenny in a challenge game next Sunday (6.30pm).

The former All Star goalkeeper will start in his native Sixmilebridge when Clare entertain the All-Ireland champions in the first floodlit intercounty fixture to be held in the county. The game marks the official opening of the new Sixmilebridge club facilities.

Fitzgerald's last appearance for Clare was also against the same opposition, in August 2006, when Kilkenny comfortably won the All-Ireland semi-final.

Fitzgerald (36) did not feature for Clare during the 2007 season following a high-profile dispute with former manager Tony Considine but he was recently recalled to Mike McNamara's squad after recovering from a serious finger injury sustained last October.

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McNamara will be without short-term injury victims Brendan Bugler, Conor Plunkett and Peter O'Brien, with new panel member Michael Madden a more long-term concern after he damaged medial knee ligaments in training.

Limerick hurling manager Richie Bennis has admitted the long-term fitness of forward Brian Begley is a huge concern.

Begley played for 10 minutes against Wexford in a challenge match in Golden last Sunday but Bennis admitted the Mungret clubman is "touch and go" for the season and will be nursed along for the foreseeable future.

Limerick team medics suspect Begley has suffered a slight recurrence of an old knee injury which once robbed him of almost two years of his career and the player will not be rushed back into full-scale competitive fare.

Bennis said: "It's touch and go for the year. We're just hoping that we can get the odd match from Brian. He's had a reaction to the old injury which is flaring up again."

There was some good news for Bennis last Sunday as the Moran brothers, Niall and Ollie, showed no ill-effects from their recent injury problems during their 2-19 to 0-23 victory against John Meyler's Wexford. Both players will be in contention for the crucial National Hurling League clash with Clare on Sunday week.

Bennis said 2007 young hurler of the year Séamus Hickey remains doubtful for the visit of Clare after he sustained a dead leg in the defeat against Tipperary.