O'Connor comes in from cold

Willie O'Connor is back in the Kilkenny team to face Offaly in Sunday's Leinster hurling final at Croke Park - his first start for the county since last year's All-Ireland final.

The 33-year-old Glenmore defender missed Kilkenny's entire league campaign as he took a break from the game - and contemplated possible retirement - but the hugely experienced corner back has convinced manager Brian Cody that the time has come for him to make his return.

Noel Hickey, who started at left corner in last month's semi-final win over Dublin, moves to full back. Sean Meally filled that position the last day, making his championship debut, but he now moves down to the bench.

In total, there are three changes in personnel and a number of positional switches from the starting side that so comfortably beat Dublin in the semi-final. Andy Comerford returns to midfield in place of Paddy Mullally. Comerford will partners Brian McEvoy, who started at wing forward the last day. John Power also returns to centre forward in an indirect swap with Eddie Brennan - who started at corner forward against Dublin. Henry Shefflin moves into the full forward line with Denis Byrne moving from midfield to wing forward. With O'Connor's return, it now means that 11 of the side that defeated Offaly in last year's Leinster final will line out again on Sunday. Gone are Tom Hickey, Canice Brennan, Mullally, and Ken O'Shea.

Galway manager John O'Mahony has given Michael Donnellan a starting place in the team to face Sligo in Sunday's Connacht football semi-final at Markievicz Park. Donnellan, who missed the bulk of the league while playing soccer, comes in at centre forward in place of the injured Ja Fallon.

With a number injuries still to contend with, there are vacancies left at corner back and wing back. Sean Og de Paor is still troubled by a leg muscle injury, but it is hoped that he will be fit to play at left half back.

Behind him, the vacancy is most likely to be filled by either John Divilly or Richie Fahy. Divilly is troubled by a hamstring strain but may yet be fit, while Fahy filled the position in the last outing against New York. The only other change from the last outing sees Gary Fahy, safely over his injury worries, return to the full back position in place of John Killeen.