'He is mad to play but I won't risk his safety' - Davy Fitz reveals Clare star will miss League final due to concussion
Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald (SPORTSFILE)
Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald has revealed that one of his top stars will be left "devastated" when he is omitted from the starting line-up for Sunday's NHL Division 1 final following a concussion scare.
Fitzgerald is faced with an agonising decision after a player he refused to name was diagnosed with concussion following the comprehensive semi-final victory over Kilkenny.
The Clare boss, speaking last night ahead of the championship dress rehearsal with the Déise, also confirmed that Conor Ryan and David McInerney will be ruled out through injury once again, with a call on Shane O'Donnell's participation to be made on Friday evening.
But Fitzgerald refused to name the player he may have to deliver tough news to, explaining: "The most important thing with this set-up is the player comes first. I'm not going to risk anyone, if I thought it would cause problems down the road.
"We have one player who got concussed after the Kilkenny game.
"He's mad to go but I don't think we're going to. He'll be devastated.
"The player is number one, no matter what else happens. Winning hurling games is number two."
