Kelly under scrutiny at Birr

Joachim Kelly, so often a hero in an Offaly hurling jersey, is likely to be under great scrutiny in his off-the-pitch managerial role when he brings his Wexford team to an old stomping ground in Birr for the Walsh Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Because of club commitments, the new Wexford manager doesn't have a full complement with which to impress his fellow-countymen. Goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry and versatile attacker-cum-midfielder Rory McCarthy are involved in relegation matches with their clubs and are not available to the county team.

Reports also suggest that Kelly will have to plan the Leinster championship semi-final - against Offaly - without star defender Larry O'Gorman, who has been told he needs surgery for an ongoing ankle injury.

But Kelly's resources are such that he has been able to name a side for Sunday's game with considerable experience and still afford the luxury of leaving the likes of Garry Laffan, Mitch Jordan and Larry Murphy among the substitutes. Former All Stars Martin Storey and Tom Dempsey are both included in the full-forward line while another former All Star, Liam Dunne, moves from his customary centre half back position to the wing.

Offaly will also be under-strength because of the absence of the Birr contingent, who will be involved in the All-Ireland club championship semi-finals with Athenry on Sunday week.

Laois's squad problems remain unresolved in advance of their Walsh Cup semi-final encounter with Kilkenny on Sunday. The Cuddy brothers from Castletown, Paul and David, have yet to rejoin the panel while Bill Maher has decided to rest until March. Niall Rigney has not been enticed back from retirement. Hurling in the county hit a low before Christmas when they couldn't field a team for a South East League match with Waterford.

Kilkenny named a strong team last night. Their four All Stars, Peter Barry, Andy Comerford, Brian McEvoy and D J Carey have been included and new captain Willie O'Connor has been listed for his first game since last year's All-Ireland final.

There are continuing injury worries over Paul Bardon and Aidan Keogh in advance of Longford's O'Byrne Cup football final with Westmeath in Mullingar on Sunday.

Westmeath have brought back David Mitchell at full back and Martin Murtagh at left half back for the match.

Meanwhile in an effort to boost the Railway Cup, the Connacht Council, in conjunction with Cumann na mBunscol, has distributed 2,500 free tickets to primary schools in the province for Sunday's final between Connacht and Ulster at Markievicz Park.

Those who attend the game and submit their tickets at the turnstiles will be entered into a draw for footballing merchandise. The game is to be broadcast live on TG4 (2.20 p.m.).

Wexford (SH v Offaly): P Carley; C Kehoe, E Furlong, S Flood; R Mallon, D Ruth, L Dunne; A Fenlon, R Quigley; M Byrne, D Ryan, J Kenny; J Lawlor, M Storey, T Dempsey.

Westmeath (SF v Longford): D Ryan; K McKinley, D Mitchell, F Murray; D Healy, A Canning, M Murtagh; R O'Connell, D Gavin; D Heavin, J Cooney, S Deering; J Fallon, M Flanagan, G Heavin.

Westmeath (SH v Meath) - S Reilly; M Williams, N Gavin, B Murphy; D McCormack, B Williams, M Murtagh; P Williams, T Cunningham; AN Other, J Gavigan, S McLoughlin; A Mitchell, O Devine, F Shaw.

Kilkenny (SH v Laois): J McGarry; J Butler, S Meally, W O'Connor; P Mullally, E Kennedy, P Barry; S Grehan, R Moore; H Shefflin, A Comerford, B McEvoy; N Moloney, DJ Carey, J Phelan.