Hayden gets Offaly chance

Birr clubman Dylan Hayden has been promoted to the Offaly midfield for Sunday's Leinster SHC semi-final showdown with Wexford (Nowlan Park, throw-in 3.30pm).

Hayden replaces Declan Tanner, who drops to the bench, in the only change to the Faithfuls side from last month's 2-12 to 0-08 quarter-final victory over Laois.

In a positional switch, Ger Oakley, who partnered Gary Hanniffy at centre-field against Laois, has been slotted in at left half-back by manager John McIntyre.

Legendary Birr defender Brian Whelahan (shoulder) and Coolderry sharpshooter Damien Murray (ankle) are hoping to make the Offaly substitutes bench despite their injuries.

Wexford, who will be having their first championship outing this season on Sunday, beat the Faithfuls in both 2003 and 2004.

The Model men are rated odds-on by most bookmakers to progress to the provincial decider on July 2.

OFFALY (SHC v Wexford) - B Mullins; B Teehan, P Cleary, D Franks; K Brady, R Hanniffy, G Oakley; G Hanniffy, D Hayden; M Cordial, M O'Hara, B Murphy (capt); B Carroll, J Bergin, A Hanrahan.