Sam Bourke named in Offaly team for Joe McDonagh Cup Final

UNDER 20 star Sam Bourke has been named in the Offaly team to face Carlow in the Joe McDonagh Cup final at Croke Park tomorrow (Saturday, 4.45pm throw in) in what is seen as a surprise move by many.

The Durrow man has been named at midfield and is one of two members of the Offaly under 20 team which captured the Leinster title last week to have been named in the starting line up.

Under 20 captain Charlie Mitchell has been selected in his customary role in the full forward line, while Sam Bourke has forced his way into the starting line up at midfield.

Bourke has played a starring role at centre back for the under 20 side on their route to the Leinster title but while he has also been a member of the senior panel, he hasn't featured much in their long campaign and his inclusion in the starting line up for the Croke Park decider came as a surprise to many.

However, if he maintains the form he has shown for the under 20 side, who are looking forward to their own All-Ireland Final against Cork the following Sunday, he will be worthy of his inclusion in the team for Saturday.

Elsewhere, the players over whom there were injury concerns in the lead up to Saturday's final have all been included, with Cillian Kiely, Eoghan Cahill and David Nally all named to start against Carlow.

Only three of the players who started the last group game against Carlow, in which Offaly suffered a heavy defeat, are named in the team for his Saturday, Ben Conneely, Dara Maher and Killian Sampson. Offaly had already secured their place in the final before that game and took the opportunity to rest players after a long arduous campaign in which they had played nine games in 10 weeks. Now those players return and they will look to get the win that will send Offaly back into the Leinster Championship next season for the first time since 2018.

Carlow showed in their defeat of Offaly to claim their place in the final that they will pose a very strong threat and Offaly will have to perform to their very best to claim Joe McDonagh glory.

The Offaly team will line out as follows: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Dara Maher (Shinrone), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's); David King (Coolderry), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Killian Sampson (Shinrone); Sam Bourke (Durrow), David Nally (Belmont); Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Jack Clancy (Belmont), Adrian Cleary (Shinrone); Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Eoghan Cahill (Birr). Subs. Eamon Cleary (Shinrone), Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh), Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty), Paddy Clancy (Belmont), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels), Shane Dooley (Tullamore), John Murphy (Ballinamere), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry), Conor Hardiman (Kinnitty), James Nally (Belmont), Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels). Extended panel: Jack Screeney (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Cathal O'Meara (Clara), Joe Hoctor (Carrig & Riverstown), Conor Langton (Clodiagh Gaels).