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.

The Tipperary senior hurling team to play Cork in the Allianz NHL Division 1A clash at Semple Stadium on Sunday shows four changes from the team which started in last weekend’s drawn game with Dublin.

Offaly manager Ollie Baker has named his side to face his native Clare in Sunday's Allianz Hurling League Division 1B encounter at O'Connor Park (throw-in 2.30pm).

Limerick 2-16 Offaly 4-10

Having let a nine point lead slip during a cruel loss to Wexford the previous week, Ollie Baker heaved a sigh of relief after his Offaly side survived a spirited Antrim revival in this Allianz League Division 1B encounter at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

Offaly cantered to a comprehensive 12 points victory in this lack lustre Allianz NHL Division 1B opening round encounter at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday as Laois never recovered from the dismissal of Michael McEvoy in the 21st minute.

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

All-Ireland SHC Round 3 Qualifier

Offaly 1-19 Limerick 1-13

Galway 3-17 Offaly 2-18, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Galway 2-19 Offaly 3-16

Derek Morkan has been rewarded for an impressive National League campaign by being named in the Offaly team for Sunday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Antrim.

TOM KENNY and Eoin Cadogan have shaken off injury worries to make the Cork starting side for Sunday’s Munster SHC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, as manager Denis Walsh makes three personnel and three positional changes for the clash against Tipperary.

AN Taoiseach Brian Cowen performed the official opening of Lusmagh’s & new clubhouse yesterday evening.

TOP-GUNS John Gardiner and Jerry O’Connor have been given starting places on the Cork team for next Sunday’s crunch Allianz Division One NHL clash with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Offaly 2-17 Limerick 3-13

Wexford 2-17 Offaly 0-16

FORMER U21 All-Ireland winning captain Kevin Hynes makes his championship debut for Galway on Sunday when they take on Laois in the Leinster SHC at Portlaoise.

HENRY SHEFFLIN returns to the Kilkenny side for his first appearance of the year in tomorrow’s NHL showdown against Tipperary. Shefflin comes in at centre-forward in place of Willie O’Dwyer, while Ballyhale Shamrocks clubmates TJ Reid and Michael Fennelly are also drafted into the team.

WHAT a difference six months makes.

BACKBONED by a strong Kilkenny contingent, Leinster won a keenly contested Martin Donnelly Inter-provincial hurling final in Portlaoise on Saturday evening denying Munster another three-in-a-row.

Leinster 1-15 Munster 1-12

Connacht 1-10 Leinster 2-11

Waterford 2-18 Offaly 0-18

ALL-IRELAND SHC THIRD PHASE QUALIFIER: LIMERICK 0-18 OFFALY 3-19

Offaly 4-22 Laois 2-12

Offaly 4-13 Down 2-12

Dual star Sean Ryan will make his championship debut for the Offaly hurlers this afternoon when they take on Tipperary in their first All-Ireland SHC qualifier (Semple Stadium, throw-in 3pm).

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).

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.

Leinster 1-23 Connacht 0-17

Leinster have slotted Kilkenny's Jackie Tyrrell and Eoin Larkin into their starting line-up for Saturday's M Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling final against Connacht (Pearse Stadium, throw-in 4.45pm).

Offaly's David Franks led the scoring as Leinster eased their way into the M Donnelly Interprovincial hurling final last night, taking a 2-19 to 0-12 victory over Ulster.

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

Offaly 0-08 Wexford 0-09

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 3-14 Tipperary 2-21

Unbeaten Offaly will boast two changes to their side when they entertain Wexford in NHL Division 1A tomorrow afternoon in Birr (throw-in 2.30pm).

Former minor star Joe Bergin has been named at full-forward in the Offaly team for tomorrow's NHL Division 1A date with Cork (Birr, throw-in 2.30pm).

Offaly 5-17 Antrim 0-18