David McInerney struggling to make Tipperary date

Defender’s absence would be a major blow to Clare’s hopes of toppling All-Ireland champs

All Star Clare defender David McInerney remains a major injury doubt ahead of their crunch All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary at the newly renovated Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow.

McInerney injured his hamstring on the Tuesday following Clare’s Munster final defeat to Cork at Semple Stadium in Thurles and recovery has been slower than hoped for.

The 24-year old Tulla clubman was due to have a fitness test late yesterday evening as Clare prepared to play the reigning All-Ireland champions in the first senior inter-county tie at the Cork venue since its €80 million redevelopment.

McInerney won an All-Ireland with Clare in 2013, and his father Jim, who also won an All-Ireland with Clare 18 years earlier, says David would be a massive loss for this game.

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“David is injured at the moment and we don’t know whether he is going to be able to play,” said McInerney. “He hurt his hamstring on the Tuesday after the Munster final and it wasn’t that bad, it’s just such a short period of time. The hamstring injury is a slow process.

“David had been playing well and was really looking forward to playing against Tipperary. Ever since Tipp won the All-Ireland he was saying that he would love to play against them and measure up against them.

“He would see them as the yardstick in the championship at the moment.”