Offaly have made three personnel changes in their side, as well as a positional switch, for their All-Ireland semi-final clash with Clare in Croke Park on Sunday.
Darren Hanniffy, who replaced Colm Cassidy during their quarter-final defeat of Antrim, starts at centrefield on Sunday. Johnny Dooley and Paudie Mulhare, injured for the Antrim game, return and replace Killian Farrell and Billy Dooley.
In the positional switch, Michael Duignan moves from right half forward to the left corner and Johnny Dooley comes into the wing spot. Paudie Mulhare plays at right corner forward.
The changes were expected once Johnny Dooley and Paudie Mulhare were declared fit and the retention of Hanniffy at midfield was also predicted following his good performance when he replaced Cassidy in the Antrim match.
Meanwhile, Fergal Hegarty has joined Clare's casualty list. Hegarty twisted his right ankle in a training session last week and the injury has curtailed his ability to train since. Hopes are high, however, that he will be fit to take his place against Offaly if needed, having come in as a substitute in the victory over Waterford. Clare's worries don't end there, however. Liam Doyle is a very doubtful starter because of an ankle injury which has forced him to use crutches over the past few days.
In addition, Brian Lohan is definitely out after his sending-off in the Munster final replay and there are real fears that Colin Lynch may be added to the list of suspensions on Friday night when videotape evidence will be used by the Munster Council to adjudicate on his behaviour in that same match.
The Clare selectors have postponed their team selection until this evening.
Sunday's clash will be only the second time that Clare and Offaly have met in the championship. Their only previous meeting was in the All-Ireland final of 1995 when Clare won by 1-13 to 2-8.
The GAA announced yesterday that the Hogan Stand will be allticket for Sunday's All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final between Clare and Offaly. Tickets are available to clubs in the competing counties and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Tickets will cost £18.00.
Admission to all other areas of the ground will be by cash at the turnstiles. Adults will pay £18.00 for New Stand seats, students £5.00 and children £3.00. Admission to Hill 16 and the Canal End will be £10.00 for adults, £4.00 for students and £2.00 for children.
Tommy Lyons has been confirmed as the Offaly football team manager for the next year. Lyons informed the county board of his availability to manage the team for a third year and the board confirmed his appointment, along with selectors Paul O'Kelly and Eamon Fleming, last night.
Mickey Moran is to stay on as manager of the Sligo senior football team. Moran's re-appointment was ratified at last night's meeting of the Sligo County Board. The Derry man resigned as manager following Sligo's defeat by Roscommon in the Connacht championship semi-final replay, but was prevailed upon to reconsider his decision.
