Hartley handed Deise start

John Hartley will make his first competitive start for Waterford in tomorrow's NHL Division 1B clash with Offaly (Birr, throw-in 3.30pm).

The Portlaw clubman comes into the midfield, partnering Michael Walsh, with Dave Bennett losing out.

The two other changes from last month's defeat of Down see James Murray restored at left corner back and Eoin Kelly returns in the half-forward line having recovered from an ankle strain. Kevin Moran and Eoin McGrath are the players to make way.

Former Hurler of the Year Tony Browne, who had ruled himself out of the entire NHL campaign due to work commitments, is named amongst the susbstitutes.

The race for places in the knockout stages ends tomorrow. Clare and Waterford are both on six league points, but would be overtaken by Cork and Offaly (five points each) if the latter two win tomorrow afternoon.

Any three of those four could take the knockout places and in any particular order.

WATERFORD (NHL v Offaly) - C Hennessy; E Murphy, T Feeney, J Murray; D Coffey, K McGrath, B Phelan; M Walsh, J Hartley; E Kelly, D Shanahan, J Mullane; J Kennedy, S Prendergast, P Flynn.