Offaly quartet ruled out of clash with Cork

OFFALY have been hit with a catalogue of injuries prior to tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier with Cork at Tullamore.

Ruled out are team captain Ger Oakley, James Rigney, Daniel Currams and Cathal Parlon. Oakley has an elbow injury; Rigney (shoulder); Currams (finger) and Parlon (knee).

On the credit side, however ‘golden oldies’’ David Franks and Rory Hanniffy return after missing out on the Leinster defeat by Wexford. Franks is in at right corner back, Hanniffy taking Oakley’s position at centre-back.

Injury doubts Alan McCrabbe and Denis O’Callaghan are included in the Dublin team to meet Kilkenny in the Leinster SFC final at Croke Park on Sunday. McCrabbe has been selected at midfield with O’Callaghan named at right corner forward.

Galway’s preparations for the All-Ireland Qualifiers’ clash with Clarehave been hit with the news pacy corner-forward Damien Hayes is a major doubt. Hayes is suffering from a calf injury and Galway manager John McIntyre feels it will be touch-and-go for the Portumna ace to make the Cusack Park showdown.

The talented attacker did the damage in club championship action against Turloughmore at the weekend and, worryingly, has been unable to do any training in the interim.

“Damien carried the calf injury into the club game and, unfortunately, he aggravated it,’ revealed McIntyre.

“Damien’s condition is a major worry and we’re just keeping our fingers crossed he will be available. He will be receiving ongoing treatment and with nine days still to the match, hopefully he will make sufficient improvement to be available for selection.”

McIntyre won’t be able to call on Richie Murray, who was handed a straight red card by referee Barry Kelly shortly after coming on as a sub in the clash with the Cats. On the plus side, however, McIntyre’s goalkeepingselection options increased with the re-availability of James Skehill.

OFFALY (SHC qualifier v Cork): B. Mullins; D. Franks, D. Kenny, M. Verney; D. Hayden, R. Hanniffy, P. Cleary; K. Brady, B. Murphy; B. Carroll, C. Mahon, D. Molloy; S. Dooley, J. Brady, J. Bergin.

DUBLIN (SHC v Kilkenny): G. Maguire; N. Corcoran, T. Brady, O. Gough; S. Hiney, J. Boland, M. Carton; J. McCaffery, A. McCabbe; S. Durkin, L. Ryan, K. Flynn; D. O’Callaghan, L. Rushe, D. Treach.

ARMAGH (SFC quaifier v Monaghan): P. McEvoy; A. Mallon, B. Donaghy, B. Shannon; A. O’Rourke, C. McKeever, A. Kernan; K. Toner, J. Lowry; P. Duffy, M. O’Rourke, B. Mallon; S. McDonnell, R. Clarke, K. O’Rourke.

WEXFORD (SFC qualifier v Offaly): A. Masterson; N. Murphy, G. Molloy, D. Carter; B. Malone, D. Murphy, C. Morris (capt); D. Fogarty, B. Doyle; R. Barry, S. Cullen, A. Flynn; C. Lyng, S. Roche, PJ Banville.

WATERFORD (SFC qualifier v Meath): T. Wall; S. Briggs, T. O’Gorman,M.O’Gorman; E. Rockett, L. Lawlor, T. Grey; S. O’Hehir, B. Phelan; W. Hennessy, B. Wall, L. O’Lionnain; S. Cunningham, G. Power, B. Hurney.

TIPPERARY (SFC qualifier v Louth): M. O’Donnell; P. Codd, C. McDonald, C. Higgins; D. Alyward, H. Coghlan, B. Costigan; G. Hannigan, K. Mulryan; S. Carey, P. Durkin, B. Fox; B. Mulvihill, B. Coen, B. Brogan.

MONAGHAN (SFC qualifier v Armagh): P. McBennett; D. Moane, V. Corley, D. McArdle; D. Freeman, G. McQuaid, D. Hughes; J. P. Mone, D. Clerkin; S. Collogly, P. Finlay, C. McManus; C. Hannraty, R. Ronaghan, R. Woods.

LEITRIM (SFC qualifier v Longford): E. Lyons; M.McGuinness, P. Gilmartin, D. Reynolds; G. Reynolds,J. McKeon,B. Prior; G. McCloskey, S.Canning; M.Foley, D. Maxwell, P. McGuinness; D. O’Connor, T. Beirne, J. Glancy.

FERMANAGH (SFC qualifier v Wicklow): C. Breen; N. Bogue, H. Brady, S. O’Gobhann; P. Sherry, R. McCluskey, P. McElroy; T. Mac Giolla Rua, M. McGrath; J. Sherry; R. Keenan, C. McElroy;

D. Keenan, R. Carson, E. Maguire.