Laois hurlers are without Rooney

Dual star Darren Rooney will be missing from the Laois hurling team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC Group A qualifier clash with Waterford (O'Moore Park, throw-in 3.45pm).

The Clonaslee man has opted to play for the Laois footballers in the second part of tomorrow's double header in Portlaoise. Mick O'Dwyer's side take on All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the second round of the SFC qualifiers at 5.30pm.

Laois hurling boss Dinny Cahill has made three changes to his side for the duel with the Deise. Laois need to beat Waterford by 16 points to overtake them in the Group A table and book a quarter-final place.

The midlanders secured their first competitive win of the season last weekend when they beat Westmeath by 2-15 to 2-09 in Mullingar.

Cahill's alterations see Pat Mahon from the Rathdowney/Errill club taking over from Rooney at centre back, Ballinakill's Damien Carter replaces teenage star Zane Keenan, who broke his collarbone against Westmeath, while Enda Meagher makes way for Shane Dollard.

Carter is named at left corner forward, with Rathdowney/Errill attacker Dollard a new inclusion at left half-forward.

Cahill, who watched his side start the qualifiers last month with a 20-point defeat to Galway, said: "I think we’ll have a good go at Waterford. The boys have been training hard all year - we’ve trained since January 10. It’s going to be a big day for us.

"Anything can happen, if you look at it down through the years.”

LAOIS (SHC v Waterford) - P Mullaney (capt); B Campion, Pakie Cuddy, J Walsh; C Healy, P Mahon, M McEvoy; J Phelan, J Fitzpatrick; T Fitzgerald, J Young, S Dollard; D Culleton, M Rooney, D Carter.