There are those managers who control the lives of the men under their stewardship to such an extent that they can hardly think for themselves.

Offaly 4-09 Kilkenny 0-26

Man can’t live on moral victories alone but Ollie Baker found some sustenance in the performance of his players in defeat.

Having watched five hurling games this weekend — three live and two on TV, I have a lot of sympathy for referees in how they make a distinction between what’s a free and what’s legitimate.

Former Offaly star Daithi Regan has blasted the county’s senior management for the manner of the team’s Allianz Hurling League defeat to Limerick on Sunday.

Offaly 3-8 Limerick 0-21

Offaly 1-12 Carlow 1-10

Offaly 0-16 Wexford 0-14

Offaly 0-16 Wexford 0-14

Allianz Hurling League Div 1B: Dublin 1-20 Offaly 2-16

Wexford 1-24 Offaly 1-15

Both Cork and Offaly have made changes for Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC Phase II qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Galway team named to face Offaly in Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final shows three changes to the side that beat Westmeath last time out.

Offaly manager Ollie Baker has named an unchanged team to face Galway in Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final in Portlaoise (throw-in 2pm).

Offaly and Wexford, both in need of a fillip, have the right men in charge to provide it

Wexford manager Liam Dunne and his Offaly counterpart Ollie Baker have selected their teams for Saturday's Leinster SHC quarter-final at O'Connor Park (throw-in 7pm).

“A good competitive workout,” was how opposing managers John Allen and Ollie Baker described last night’s senior hurling challenge to commemorate the Pallasgreen club’s 125th anniversary where Limerick built up enough of an advantage by the three-quarter mark to withstand Offaly’s late challenge.

There was irony aplenty at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday as Aaron Cunningham, son of Offaly coach Alan, landed the decisive 70th minute winning point as Clare maintained their 100% record in Division 1B of the Allianz NHL.

Hat-trick hero Liam Watson was the toast of Loughgiel this weekend with his 3-7 tally helping to hold off the challenge of hot favourites Coolderry in this All-Ireland club senior hurling final in chilly Croke Park on Saturday.

This was the best club final I’ve seen since the All-Ireland final was moved to Croke Park in the mid 80s.

Today is the biggest date in the GAA club calendar, with the All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals being held at Croke Park.

Coolderry forward Cathal Parlon has praised his side's collective work ethic as one of the main reasons why the small Offaly club are contesting their first ever AIB All-Ireland Club Senior Hurling final this St. Patrick's Day.

Ken Hogan was extolling the talents of Loughgiel on Saturday when news came through the Antrim side had been taken to extra-time in their All-Ireland Club semi-final with Na Piarsaigh.

Coolderry (Offaly) 3-16 Gort (Galway) 0-17

Na Piarsaigh’s Shane Dowling has earned the 2012 AIB Munster club player award for hurling.

Coolderry's Cathal Parlon, Shane Dowling of Na Piarsaigh, Limerick and Loughgiel Shamrocks Joey Scullion have been announced as the AIB Provincial Player Award winners for hurling, ahead of this Saturday's All-Ireland Club SHC semi-finals involving their respective sides.

THE man who scored Coolderry’s crucial goal in Sunday’s Leinster Club SHC final was exultant at the final whistle, understandably enough.

THIS club hurling championship must be one of the strangest competitions around.

Leinster Club SHC final: Oulart-the-Ballagh (Wexford) 1-11 Coolderry (Offaly) 1-15

SO, a Leinster Club hurling final with none of the usual suspects.

PETER CANAVAN has promised all Fermanagh players will be given a fair shout of making his 2012 panel.

COOLDERRY had an impressive six points win over Ballyboden St Enda’s in this entertaining Leinster Club SHC semi-final at Parnell Park yesterday.

Oulart-the Ballagh survived a second half scare from Laois champions Clough/Ballacolla to register a 3-12 to 2-11 semi-final win in the AIB Leinster Club Senior Hurling Championship.

COOLDERRY manager Ken Hogan has urged everyone in Offaly to get behind new hurling supremo Ollie Baker after his side retained their title for the first time since 1962/’63 following a tension filled final in O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

FOUR-time All-Ireland club champions Birr served notice of their intent when overwhelming reigning kingpins Coolderry by 1-16 to 0-10 in a one-sided fourth round encounter at Shinrone on Saturday.

Cork 2-17 Offaly 2-16

Rory Hanniffy and James Mulrooney will line out for Offaly against Cork in tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC first phase qualifier at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (throw-in 2.30pm).

Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-19

THE final round of games in the two top divisions of the Allianz Hurling League this weekend and plenty still to play for.

AN opportunist 56th minute goal executed by Ballygunner debutant Brian O’Sullivan ensured Waterford fended off the challenge of Offaly at blustery O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

IARLA TANNIAN and Galway produced a tour-de-force as they crushed 14-man Offaly in a one-sided Allianz NHL Division 1 encounter at blustery O’Connor Park yesterday.

Offaly 1-10 Galway 1-24

Kilkenny and Offaly claimed victories in the Walsh Cup and Shield semi-finals respectively this morning.