Four debutants for Offaly footballers

Four Championship newcomers are in the Offaly team to take on Kildare in Sunday's Leinster SFC quarter-final in Portlaoise (throw-in 4pm).

One of debutants is hurler Daniel Currams who becomes the county's latest dual player. The Kilcormac/Killoughey clubman will lead the Offaly attack from centre forward, flanked by Ross Brady and Niall Smith who have both shaken off injuries to start.

Tullamore pair John Moloney and Michael Brazil will make their SFC bows at full-back and centre-back respectively, while fellow debutant Eoin Rigney from Rhode will fill the number 7 jersey.

Alan McNamee returns to the starting line-up to partner Richie Dalton at midfield with fellow Rhode clubman Brian Darby captaining the side from wing back.

Talismanic forward Niall McNamee, Alan's brother, is absent as he continues his recovery from a long-term groin injury, while former Laois minor player Mark Dunne (broken ribs) is another player to miss out.

This is interim manager Tom Coffey's first Championship match in charge of the Faithfuls, who have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five Championship clashes with Kildare.

OFFALY (SFC v Kildare): Alan Mulhall; Shane Sullivan, John Moloney, Sean Pender; Brian Darby (capt), Michael Brazil, Eoin Rigney; Alan McNamee, Richie Dalton; Ross Brady, Daniel Currams, Niall Smith; Ken Casey, Graham Guilfoyle, Anton Sullivan.