Offaly and Galway teams named for Tullamore tussle

The Offaly and Galway teams have been named for their Leinster SHC clash in Tullamore tomorrow evening (Saturday).

Offaly manager Johnny Kelly, who will be in opposition to his native Galway, has named an unchanged starting team from that which lost to Dublin at Parnell Park last Saturday (1-25 to 2-19).

Eoghan Cahill, Colin Spain and Cillian Kiely were the three subs introduced in the Dublin match, and they again have to be content with a place on the bench. It's hardly surprising to see Kelly opting to keep faith with the starting XV given how the team performed against the Dubs, who had to produce a late rally to secure victory.

Meanwhile, there is one change on the Galway team from the side which suffered a disappointing defeat to Kilkenny last weekend (3-24 to 0-21). Daithí Burke, who was introduced as a substitute against the Noresiders, starts at full-back with Jack Grealish dropping to the bench.

Considering the nature of the 12-point defeat to Kilkenny, Galway boss Micheál Donoghue was expected to make more changes and, of course, there could be further alterations before the throw-in.

Last Saturday's game against Dublin was Offaly's first Leinster SHC fixture in seven years, but it attracted a relatively small crowd of around 5,000. However, a large crowd is expected for the visit of Galway to Glenisk O'Connor Park (throw-in 6.30pm) in a match which should attract particular interest in places like Lusmagh, Banagher and Portumna. Indeed, Offaly GAA has reminded supporters to arrive early for this all-ticket fixture.

Offaly (vs Galway): Mary Troy (Ballinamere); Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Ciaran Burke (Ballinamere, captain), Padraig Cantwell (Shamrocks); Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Donal Shirley (Brosna Gaels), Ross Ravenhill (Ballinamere); Cathal King (Carrig & Riverstown), David King (Cooldery); Killian Sampson (Shinrone), Dan Bourke (Ballinamere), Oisín Kelly (Belmont); Dan Ravenhill (Ballinamere), Brian Duignan (Ballinamere), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac/Killoughey). Subs: Liam Hoare (Carrig & Riverstown), Colin Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Eoin Burke (Coolderry), James Mahon (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Brecon Kavanagh (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Patrick Taaffe (Belmont), Eoghan Cahill (Birr), David Nally (Belmont), Sam Bourke (Ballinamere), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac/Killoughey).

Galway (vs Offaly): Darach Fahy; Fintan Burke, Daithí Burke, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, TJ Brennan; Cianan Fahy, Tom Monaghan; John Fleming, Cathal Mannion, Tiernan Killeen; Conor Whelan (captain), Brian Concannon, Declan McLaughlin. Subs: Eanna Murphy, Jack Grealish, Joshua Ryan, Ronan Glennon, Seán Linnane, Donal O'Shea, Rory Burke, John Cooney, Conor Cooney, David Burke, Colm Molloy.

*See here for preview of Offaly vs Galway match.