Offaly hurling team selected for Laois clash
Offaly and Laois will do battle for the second succeesive night when the Midland neighbours meet in the Dioralyte Walsh Cup tomorrow (Thursday).
The Walsh Cup first round hurling fixture, originally scheduled to take place in Clough Ballacolla GAA on January 4 has now been moved to LOETB Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise (throw-in 7.30pm), due to the pitch in Clough Ballacolla not being playable. In advance of that game, the two counties' football teams will meet in the O'Byrne Cup tonight (Wednesday).
Offaly hurling manager Johnny Kelly has selected his team for the season opener against Laois, and the starting line-up contains plenty of inter-county experience (see team list below).
Prior to Christmas, the Offaly senior hurling panel turned down the chance to go on a team holiday. As a result of reaching last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup final - in which they were edged out by Carlow in dramatic fashion - Offaly received a grant of €60,000 from GAA authorities to go towards a team holiday.
But the panel and management requested that the money be spent on training costs instead.
In 2023, Offaly won the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A title and, as a consequence, they will operate in Division 1 this year.
Offaly will face games against Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Cork and Clare in February and March. First up for Offaly is a home fixture against Waterford on Sunday, February 4.
Offaly team (vs Laois):
1. Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry)
2. Jack Clancy (Belmont)
3. Ben Conneely (St Rynagh’s)
4. Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty)
5. James Nally (Belmont)
6. Leon Fox (Belmont)
7. Dara Maher (Shinrone)
8. Cathal King (Carrig & Riverstown)
9. Luke Watkins (Shinrone)
10. Dan Bourke (Ballinamere)
11. Killian Sampson (Shinrone)
12. David Nally (Belmont)
13. Morgan Watkins (Birr)
14. Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh)
15. Paul Cleary (Shinrone).
Subs: Mark Troy (Ballinamere), Eamon Cleary (Shinrone), Joe Hoctor (Carrig & Riverstown), Kieran Connors (Seir Kieran), Donal Shirley (Tubber), Sam Bourke (Ballinamere), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Eoghan Cahill (Birr), Ciaran Burke (Ballinamere), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry).