Offaly make one change for Clare tie

Brian Whelahan has shown remarkable faith in his Offaly team for tomorrow’s crunch All-Ireland hurling qualifier with Clare in Ennis.

Boss Whelahan has made just a single change to the side that suffered a first Leinster championship defeat to Laois since 1972.

Eanna Murphy came on during that chastening nine-point loss for the experienced Cathal Parlon at wing-back and has held onto his jersey.

Aside from that, Whelahan has resisted the temptation to axe any of his under-performing players and has named the same team for the Cusack Park clash.

There is a similar vote of confidence from Offaly football manager Pat Flanagan in his players.

They play beaten Leinster semi-finalists Kildare in Tullamore tomorrow and Flanagan has named the side team that beat Waterford 1-20 to 1-7 in the first round of qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Limerick won’t be announcing their team for Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling qualifier with Westmeath until the day itself.

Offaly (SFC v Kildare): A Mulhall; B Darby, P McConway, C Donohue; N Darby, J Moloney, J O’Connor; C McNamee, N Smith; P Cunningham, G Guilfoyle, A Sullivan; B Allen, N Dunne, W Mulhall.

Offaly (SHC v Clare): J Dempsey; N Wynne, D Shortt, D King; E Murphy, C Egan, P Camon; E Nolan, S Ryan; J Mulrooney, D Currams, P Murphy; S Dooley, J Bergin, B Carroll.