Whelahan duo out for Offaly

Offaly boss Mike McNamara has taken a bold move by dropping both Simon and Brian Whelahan from his Leinster SHC semi-final lineup.

The pair will both miss out on the Wexford tie this Sunday while fellow Birr man Brendan Murphy is exam tied.

Elsewhere, Brian Mullins, Michael Cordial and Neville Coughlan all start their first championship games.

OFFALY (SH v Wexford): B Mullins; M O'Hara, G Oakley, D Franks; Barry Whelahan, J Brady, C Cassidy; M Cordial, N Coughlan; G Hanniffy, R Hanniffy, B Carroll; AN Other, J Errity, D Murray.