Carr toys with his forward options

Tom Carr will have to wait until later in the week before finalising his team to face Offaly in Sunday's Leinster football semi-final. The Dublin manager has left a vacancy at centre forward as a number of players are still suffering slight strains.

Jason Sherlock, who lined out at centre forward in the win over Longford, is named at corner forward. Carr's other options for the centre forward role include Enda Sheehy, Jim Gavin, Ian Robertson and Declan Darcy. The imminent return to health of Robertson will be a source of joy to Hill 16 fans, who have seen too little of the gifted Ballymun forward.

There are two changes to the side that defeated Longford. Jonathan McGee, injured for that match, comes back in for Tommy Lynch at centre back. Colin Moran, also unavailable on the day, replaces Niall O'Donoghue.

As it stands, 11 of those who played in Dublin's tormenting Leinster final replay last year remain in the side. Of the newcomers, Darren Homan lines out with Ciaran Whelan at midfield, Martin Cahill is at corner back and Wayne McCarthy fronts a nifty attack with Sherlock and Dessie Farrell.

Stephen Cluxton's run between the posts continues. Only three players from Dublin's All-Ireland winning team of 1995 will begin Sunday's match; Paul Curran, Farrell and Sherlock.

Offaly's cause has been helped by the return of Sean Grennan at full forward. The Ferbane man, who made his championship debut against Dublin back in 1992, gives the Offaly front line a considerable physical presence. The converted defender will cause problems in around the box and provide a perfect foil for the evergreen Vinney Claffey and newcomer Neville Coughlan. Pascal Keelaghan is the player who makes way for Grennan.

Ten of those that line out on Sunday featured on the side beaten by Kildare in last year's Leinster semi-final replay. Grennan lined out at centre-half back that day.

The midfield battle ought to be particularly instructive, with the robust Ciaran McManus - Offaly's most consistent performer in recent years - partnering the up-and-coming Alan McNamee. Their duel against Whelan and Homan - a physically intimidating and athletic duo - will have a crucial bearing on the outcome.

Leinster SFC Semi-Final Teams Dublin: S Cluxton; M Cahill, P Christie, C Goggins; P Curran, J McGee, P Andrews; C Whelan, D Homan; C Moran, AN Other, S Connell; J Sherlock, D Farrell, W McCarthy.

Offaly: P Kelly; C Daly, B Malone, G Rafferty; B Mooney, F Cullen, K Slattery; C McManus, A McNamee; C Quinn, M Keenaghan, B Comerford; N Coughlan, S Grennan , V Claffey.