Offaly ring changes for crunch match against Derry

OFFALY have made a number of changes for Sunday's crunch National Football League Division 2 clash against Derry on Sunday in Tullamore.

Manager John Maughan and selectors have decided to freshen things up after a poor performance in last week's opening defeat by Clare.

Cian Donohue and Ciaran Donnelly lose out in defence with Declan Hogan and Colm Doyle replacing them. Cathal Mangan is replaced at midfield by Declan Dempsey – Mangan went off injured late on in Ennis after shipping a hefty knock to the head. It will be interesting to see what role Dempsey is given – the Ballycommon man is a natural defender and has occasionally been used in the attack in a defensive role. He fulfilled that role when he came on last Sunday at half time but midfield is new territory for him.

Offaly have also made one change in their attack. Veteran forward Niall McNamee is left off with his place going to Shamrocks' Jack Bryant. McNamee was taken off at half time in the opening defeat and the decision to leave him off may be an acknowledgement by management that he can now exert a more powerful influence in the closing stages of games. Bryant is one of the brightest emerging attacking prospects in Offaly – he was brilliant for the U-20s as they won a surprise All-Ireland titles last year, getting superb crucial scores in games.

Cathal Donoghue is a new addition to the subs bench. The Kilcormac-Killoughey man is also a fine prospect and with Offaly crying out for options at midfield, he may see action here at some stage.

Offaly will be looking for a much improved display against Derry. They didn't play well in the second half last Sunday and need points as they bid to stay up in Division 2. Derry beat them well in the Division 3 final last year in Croke Park and Maughan will be demanding more from his players.

OFFALY: Paddy Dunican (Shamrocks); Declan Hogan (Tullamore), James Lalor (Raheen), Niall Darby (Rhode); Lee Pearson (Edenderry), Johnny Moloney (Tullamore), Colm Doyle (Clara); Jordan Hayes (Edenderry), David Dempsey (Ballycommon); Bill Carroll (Cappincur), Anton Sullivan (Rhode), Dylan Hyland (Raheen); Bernard Allen (Tubber), Jack Bryant (Shamrocks), Ruari McNamee (Rhode). Subs – Ian Duffy (Walsh Island), Niall McNamee (Rhode), Cormac Egan (Tullamore), Ciaran Donnelly (Bracknagh), Aaron Leavy (Tullamore), Morgan Tynan (Ballinagar), Cian Donohue (St Brigid's), Cathal Donoghue (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Joseph O'Connor (St Rynagh's), Kieran Dolan (Shamrocks), Rory Egan (Edenderry).McNamee (Rhode).