Broken wrist blow for Offaly hurling star as Screeney returns to action

AN Offaly senior hurling star has suffered an injury blow in a club football game. Donal Shirley sustained a broken wrist in Tubber's Senior “B” Football Championship defeat away to Cappincur on Saturday evening.

Shirley was replaced by former Offaly senior football star, Ciaran McManus in the 51^st minute after landing heavily on his wrist when fielding a high ball. Cappincur came back with late scores to snatch a 1-10 to 0-10 win and Shirley's absence was a huge factor in Tubber's defeat.

While he is achieving a national name as one of the best hurlers in Offaly, Shirley is also an excellent footballer, He played minor football for Offaly and would have walked onto the county U20 football side this year but concentrated on hurling. He was superb as Offaly won the All-Ireland U20 Hurling Championship in 2024 and quickly established himself on the senior side this year, turning in a series of top quality performances in the heart of defence.

He was outstanding for Tubber in their first round win over Ballycumber and was also going very well in Saturday night's game.

He was not the only injury victim in that game as Cappincur's PJ Daly went off after just 18 minutes with a suspected cruciate injury. Daly has been going very well for Cappincur this year – a scan will determine the injury but Cappincur are fearing the worse and he will be a huge loss if this injury is confirmed and he is a long time absentee.

Shirley is likely to face a few weeks on the sideline and will be a huge loss to Tubber who play Ballinagar in the next round. With a seven team group and Tubber having a bye in the next few weeks, they will be hoping that he can get back into action before the knockout stages – if he wasn't devoted to hurling, Shirley is another county hurler who would almost certainly make it in senior county football for Offaly.

Shirley plays his club hurling with Brosna Gaels. A combination of players from passionate football clubs in Tubber, Ballycumber, Doon and Erin Rovers, they compete in the Junior Hurling Championship and there is regular speculation about Shirley's long term intentions and him seeking club hurling at a higher level. Most of this circulates on a switch to Ballinamere or Clara but with a parish rule in operation in Offaly, this is very much of the loose talk variety with no substance – his father does come from Clara and he played underage hurling with a combination of them and Brosna Gaels on the way up the ranks. Shirley also has a lot of loyalty to Tubber and likes football so it is all just speculation at the moment, though he would benefit from club hurling at a high level.

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Meanwhile, Adam Screeney is on his way back for Kilcormac-Killoughey senior hurlers. He has played part of three games in the past week, two senior hurling challenges and one U20 hurling game. Screeney missed K/K's first round draw with Belmont in the Senior Hurling Championship and is set to play a big role in next weekend's crunch meeting with St Rynagh's. Charlie Mitchell is also home from America and that is all bad news for St Rynagh's who have to win after two opening defeats against Shinrone and Belmont – a third defeat will see them make a group exit for the first time in years and need a win over Kinnitty to avoid a relegation play off.