Two changes on Offaly senior hurling team for big Kilkenny test

TWO changes have been made on the Offaly team for their big Leinster Senior Hurling Championship test against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park on Saturday evening.

Kilcormac-Killoughey duo James Mahon and Colin Spain have been drafted into the starting team after coming on as subs in the heavy defeat by Galway in their last game.

Mahon replaces Padraig Cantwell at corner back while Spain is selected ahead of the veteran David King at midfield.

After losing to Dublin and Galway in their first two games, Offaly's focus is now on retaining their top flight status. They will be big underdogs against Leinster championship favourites Kilkenny but will be hoping to give a good account of themselves.

As expected Adam Screeney is out after suffering a suspected fractured ankle in the U20 hurlers' defeat by Dublin last Monday – Screeney's Kilcormac-Killoughey club mate Cillian Kiely is not on the subs bench after coming on and being taken off later in the reverse against Galway.

SEE NEXT: Offaly travel to Nowlan Park more in hope than confidence

Offaly are away to Wexford and at home to Antrim on the following two weekends.

OFFALY: Mark Troy (Durrow); Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), James Mahon (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Ross Ravenhill (Durrow), Donal Shirley (Tubber), Jason Sampson (Shinrone); Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown), Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Killian Sampson (Shinrone), Dan Bourke (Durrow), Oisin Kelly (Belmont); Dan Ravenhill (Durrow), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey). Subs – Liam Hoare (Carrig-Riverstown), Eoin Burke (Coolderry), Sam Bourke (Durrow), David Nally (Belmont), Eoghan Cahill (Birr), David King (Coolderry), Brecon Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Padraig Cantwell (Shamrocks), Jack Clancy (Belmont), Ben Miller (Birr), Luke Watkins (Shinrone).