Gerald McCarthy has unsurprisingly left his Waterford team unchanged for their latest outing against Laois. There had been doubts about the fitness of Paul Flynn, who was labouring with a leg strain, but he underwent training during the week with no repercussions.

Laois, without a win so far and desperate to resuscitate their winter under new manager Sean Cuddy, are facing the southern side at the wrong time. McCarthy's team have built up momentum over the past month and, since stunning Wexford with a late goal in Walsh Park, have started to resemble the side who swept through the province two summers ago.

Established defender Fergal Hartley, who lost his place after being substituted just before Waterford's comeback against Kilkenny, once more finds himself squeezed out, with Peter Queally slotting into the central defensive spot. Dan Shanahan, whose form coming off the bench was perhaps the spark which initially ignited Waterford, once again forms an extremely potent half-forward unit with Ken McGrath and Flynn.

Offaly manager Pat Fleury will again be without the vast majority of the Birr contingent for Sunday's home game against Clare. Johnny Pilkington returns to the starting line-up, having entered the action as a substitute against Limerick a fortnight ago. He partners Johhny Dooley at centrefield.

The 1998 All-Ireland champions have had an unhappy record against Clare in recent league meetings and will face a very unfamiliar line-up in Birr given the wholesale changes made by Ger Loughnane.

"We have played three and won one, which isn't a marvellous record so we could definitely use the points in this game," said Fleury yesterday. "We are at a point where we have been trying a number of new players with those who have established themselves on the side over the years and it's a question of striking a balance. It requires patience and there have been elements of our play which have been pleasing and areas where we need to improve."

There are two changes to the Antrim side which plays Kerry. Rory McQuillan replaces Conleth Maguire at wing back and Brian McFall comes in for Johnny McIntosh at left-half forward.

Antrim (v Kerry): R Matthews; E O'Hara, E Colgan, Ciaran McCambridge; R McQuillan, M Molloy, C Kelly; J Kelly, C Cunning; Conor McCambridge, R Donnelly, A Mort; A Delargy, G O'Kane, B McFall.

Offaly (v Clare): S Byrne; S Whelehan, M O'Hara, C Cassidy; A Mannion, K Martin, N Claffey; J Dooley, J Pilkington; P Mulhare, J Ryan, B Murphy; C Gath, J Errity, G Hannify.

Waterford (v Laois): B Landers; T Feeney, J O'Connor, S Cullinane; S Frampton, P Queally, B Flannery; T Browne, J Brenner; D Shanahan, K McGrath, P Flynn; M White, A Kirwan, D Bennett.

Packed House . . . Croke Park gate receipts rose from £5.9 million to £6.9 million, propelling Central Council revenue to record levels.