A GOOD start helped Roscrea Community School overcome Clonakilty Community School with relative ease in the semi-final of the Munster Vocational Schools’ senior A hurling championship at Ballyagran yesterday.

THE Ken Hogan managed Coolderry demolished old rivals Kinnitty in a one-sided Offaly SHC semi-final at O’Connor Park yesterday.

Offaly 4-13 Down 2-12

Meath 2-11 UCD 0-15

Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-13

David Franks has been included in the Offaly team for Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final against Kilkenny in Portlaoise (throw-in 4pm).

Shane Dooley, son of former Offaly favourite Joe Dooley, will make his league debut for the Faithfuls in tomorrow's NHL clash against Cork (Pairc Ui Chaoimh, throw-in 2.30pm).

Eddie Brennan bagged two goals and a point as Kilkenny got the better of Offaly, winning 2-13 to 0-15, to qualify for the 2007 Walsh Cup final today.

Veteran defender Brian Whelahan's 30th-minute goal proved crucial as Offaly edged out a dogged Dublin side at Parnell Park.

Birr clubman Dylan Hayden has been promoted to the Offaly midfield for Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final showdown with Wexford (Nowlan Park, throw-in 3.30pm).

Offaly 2-12 Laois 0-08

Offaly 5-17 Antrim 0-18

It may be just a curtain raiser to the headline act of the Ulster football final replay later today, but there is just as much riding on the Offaly hurlers' relegation semi-final showdown with Antrim at Croke Park (throw-in 2.15pm).

Offaly manager John McIntyre has made three changes for today's All-Ireland SH Relegation semi-final against Antrim at Croke Park.

Dublin hurling boss Tommy McNaughton has made five changes to his side for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Offaly - a tie which sees the boys in blue fighting for their top-tier lives.

League champions Kilkenny begin their quest to regain Leinster and All-Ireland honours as they take on Offaly in the Leinster semi-final at Croke Park today.

Offaly boss John McIntyre has named his side to face Kilkenny in next Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final at Croke Park, but there is no place in the starting line-up for Faithful legend Brian Whelahan.

Young Irelands 1-18 Tullaroan 1-9

Clare 3-16 Offaly 2-10

Clare 2-7 Offaly 1-3

Old rivals Clare and Offaly meet in the hurling qualifiers in Limerick today, knowing the winner goes

Offaly have announced an unchanged side from that which lost the Leinster final to Wexford for Saturday's hurling qualifier with Clare at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

The Leinster senior hurling final gets underway today and for the first time in seven years, All-Ireland

Offaly boss Mike McNamara has included Michael Cordial at midfield for their upcoming Leinster hurling final clash with Wexford.

DEFENDING champions Kilkenny have named an unchanged team from the side which beat Clare for Sunday's Allianz NHL clash with Dublin at Nowlan Park.

Dublin 0-16 Wexford 0-10

Offaly1-14

Offaly boss Mick McNamara has been buoyed by the return of four of his All-Ireland winning Birr contingent for Sunday's NHL clash with Laois.

Tipperary 4-14 Offaly 1-8

New Offaly boss Michael McNamara has given youth its chance for Sunday's NHL opener against Tipperary.

IT may only be the opening round of the National League, but the appeal of Cork and Kerry continues to attract above average interest for football followers.

FORMER Clare and Galway hurler Fergus Flynn is set to transfer to Waterford club, Ballygunner.