Clare joint managers Gerry O'Connor and Donal Moloney have handed debuts to two stars from this year's minor team for their side's 2018 season opener against Kerry on Saturday.

Cratloe's Diarmuid Ryan, who is a brother of 2013 All-Ireland winner Conor, makes his first senior start for the Banner men at right half-back while Gary Cooney of O'Callaghan Mills debuts at left corner-forward.

Both players took part in Clare's All-Ireland MHC quarter-final defeat to Galway this past summer, with Cooney hitting 1-3 against the Tribesmen.

Niall Deasy (Ballyea), Rory Hayes (Wolfe Tones), Mikey O'Malley (Kilmaley) and Ryan Taylor (Cooley-Quin) are all fringe players that have been given the chance to impress.

David McInerney, David Reidy and Shane O'Donnell are some of the more experienced members named in the starting 15 while Podge Collins has been named on the bench.

Throw-in for Saturday's Munster Hurling League opener at Sixmilebridge is at 2pm.

Clare (Munster HL v Kerry): Donal Tuohy; Jack Browne, Conor Cleary, Rory Hayes; Diarmuid Ryan, David McInerney, Mikey O'Malley; David Reidy, Ryan Taylor; Niall Deasy, Cathal Malone, John Conlon; Cathal O'Connell, Shane O'Donnell, Gary Cooney

Clare Senior Hurling Joint Managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O'Connor have named their starting 15 to face Kerry in the opening round of the 2018 Co-Op Superstores.ie Munster Hurling League at O'Garney Park in Sixmilebridge at 2.00pm on Saturday (30 December 2017) pic.twitter.com/5u2MEXzCmv

- Clare Senior Hurlers (@ClareSenHurlers) December 28, 2017

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