An injury to James O'Connor midway through the second half of this hurling challenge against Kilkenny last evening will be a major source of concern to Clare manager Ger Loughnane.
O'Connor appeared to be concussed and had to be helped off the pitch, having received attention for several minutes, following a clash with Kilkenny defender Michael Kavanagh. The game which marked the official re-opening of the Young Irelands GAA pitch in Gowran, saw the home county win 3-17 to 1-13.
Kilkenny: J McGarry; P Larkin, S Meally, M Hickey; M Kavanagh, E Kennedy, P Barry; A Comerford (0-1), A Cum- mins (0-1); H Shefflin (0-5), S Grehan, B McEvoy; C Carter (0-4), D J Carey (2-1), E Brennan (1-4). Subs: P Mullally for Comerford (inj), S Dowling for Meally, J P Corcoran (0-1) for Shefflin, J Coogan for McEvoy.
Clare: D Fitzgerald; B Quinn, B Lohan, F Lohan; L Doyle, S McMahon (0-1), A Daly; C Lynch, O Baker (0-1); J O'Connor (0-1), E Flannery (0-2), A Markham (1-1); N Gilligan (0-4), E Taaffe (0-3), B Murphy. Subs: G Quinn, for Markham, D Forde for Lynch, K Ralph, for Murphy, C Clancy for Taaffe.
Referee: P Horan (Offaly).
