Offaly aim to finish on winning note as Cahill returns in changed team

OFFALY senior hurlers will be aiming to wind their Walsh Cup campaign down on a winning note when they welcome Laois to O'Connor Park on Sunday next – a 2.00pm throw in.

Offaly have made a number of changes to the team, giving newer players a chance while there is a welcome return in the attack for Birr scoring machine, Eoghan Cahill – the deadly accurate forward missed the first two games.

The team was announced on Thusday evening and Joe Hoctor, Conor Hardiman and Conor Molloy are all getting their chance in defence while Adrian Cleary and Conor Langton make a new midfield pairing. Offaly's oldest player, Shane Dooley is also given an opportunity to show where he is – the Tullamore man is named at full forward.

Offaly have shown encouraging form in their two games so far. They played particularly well in a first round defeat in Kilkenny and while they lost their way in the second half against Wexford on Sunday last, they rallied well late on to achieve scoring respectability.

Laois will give a good indication of where Offaly are ahead of their National Hurling League Division 2 opener away to Down. Laois beat Wexford in their first game while they lost to Kilkenny last Sunday.

Qualification is beyond Offaly's reach and manager Johnny Kelly's focus will be on the team and individual performances and getting game time into players.

The Offaly squad is:

Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Joe Hoctor (Carrig-Riverstown), Padraig Cantwell (Shamrocks), Jack Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Conor Hardiman (Kinnitty), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels), Conor Molloy (Coolderry); Adrian Cleary (Shinrone), Conor Langton (Clodiagh Gaels); Brian Duignan (Durrow), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry), Jack Clancy (Belmont); Paddy Clancy (Belmont), Shane Dooley (Tullamore), Eoghan Cahill (Birr). Subs – Eamon Cleary (Shinrone), Oisin Murphy (Birr), John Murphy (Ballinamee), Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh), Cathal O'Meara (Clara), Sam Bourke (Durrow), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Dara Maher (Shinrone), Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Cathal Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey), David King (Coolderry).