Cleary to captain Clare

Clare's Eoin Cleary. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

Eoin Cleary has succeeded Gary Brennan as Clare senior football captain, after the inspirational midfielder ended a 14-year involvement with the squad last November.

Miltown-Malbay clubman Cleary will lead his county out as skipper for the first time on January 26 when Colm Collins' charges face Westmeath in their Allianz League Division 2 opener at TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The Banner men are also without Aaron Fitzgerald and Jamie Malone as they embark upon their seventh season under Collins.