Birr hoping fit Whelahan can master Students

BIRR manager John Goode will be praying that Brian Whelahan has not aggravated a groin strain after taking part in a charity walk with other GAA legends Eoin Liston, Jack O’Shea and Henry Shefflin in Malawi.

The 34-year old is due back from the south-east African country today but the Offaly champions are confident that their talisman will be fit to line out against UCD in Sunday’s Leinster club championship match at Parnell Park.

Whelahan is one of 10 Offaly senior panellists that the four-time All-Ireland champions can call on for what is a star-studded fixture against the Dublin champions.