Sunday March 12

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Clare v Dublin, Cusack Park, 2pm, Live on TG4

With four teams currently sitting on two points in Division 1A there is no denying the importance of Sunday's Ennis encounter.

Victory is craved by both teams, who know all about the implications of this fixture. Defeat would put either outfit in significant bother ahead of the last group game so this will be keenly contested from the outset.

The news that Clare's Oisin O'Brien is expected to miss the remainder of the year with a cruciate ligament injury.

That is a blow for Clare, who must already plan without forward Shane O'Donnell for the next six weeks due to a knee complaint.

Ballyea and Cuala's St Patrick's Day AIB All Ireland Club Final date ensures Clare and Dublin have been without several marquee players recently.

Clare were gritty throughout a well contested game with All Ireland champions Tipperary at Semple Stadium last Sunday.

Despite suffering their second loss of the campaign Clare took some positives from the match including the fact that they had eight different scorers.

John Conlon, Podge Collins, and Ian Galvin were highly impressive, while Seadna Morey also ventured forward to nail a splendid score.

Clare have been solid defensively which will be another source of encouragement for joint managers Gerry O'Connor and Donal Moloney.

“We made substitutions and got it back to three points, but irrespective of the substitutions Tipp pulled away in the last four or five minutes," Moloney commented. 

"In terms of the forwards, some of them put in huge shifts and huge work rate.”

Dublin have opted to give youth a chance to shine with teenagers such as Donal Burke developing nicely. Ger Cunningham is looking forward to the 'challenge' of facing Clare at Cusack Park. “All we’re focused on is game to game," Cunningham says. 

"We have one win, two losses. We’ve got to go to Ennis next weekend to get a win. That’s the challenge. It will be a big challenge, but hopefully the lads will rebound quickly.”

CLARE: Patrick Kelly; David McInerney, Cian Dillon, Seadna Morey; Brendan Bugler, Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald; Jamie Shanahan, David Reidy; Cathal Malone, Podge Collins, John Conlon; Ian Galvin, Peter Duggan, Aron Shanagher.

DUBLIN: Conor Dooley; James Madden, Eoghan O'Donnell, Shane Barrett; Ben Quinn, Liam Rushe, Chris Crummey; Niall McMorrow, Caolan Conway; Rian McBride, Ryan O'Dwyer, Eoghan Conroy; Fiontan McGibb, Eamon Dillon, Donal Burke.