Offaly are unchanged

Not surprisingly, Offaly manager Pat Fleury and his selectors have named an unchanged team for next Sunday's All-Ireland hurling championship final against Kilkenny.

Following a training session yesterday in which Stephen Byrne, Kevin Martin and Michael Duignan were cleared to play following injury scares last week, the selectors decided to stick with the side which dethroned the holders Cork in the semi-final.

This means that Joe Errity retains the centre half back position - he will be flanked by Brian Whelahan and Kevin Martin - and John Ryan holds on to the full forward position.

Cillian Farrell and Paudie Mulhare, who came on in the second half of the semi-final, are again named among the substitutes, as are John Troy and Colm Cassidy. Cassidy returns to the panel having missed all of Offaly's championship games this year because of injury.

Cassidy's absence in the earlier championship matches was a severe blow to Offaly as he had nailed down the left corner back position during the National League following the retirement of Martin Hanamy last winter.

However, Cassidy's misfortune has been Niall Claffey's gain and the Birr player matured into the position as the campaign progressed.

Offaly, in their fourth final since 1994, will also have the option of calling on the vastly experienced Troy if they are struggling in attack.

When he walked out on the panel after the quarter-final win over Derry in a much-publicised spat, it looked like Troy's season was over. However, he was persuaded to rejoin the panel for the Cork match.

The substitutes' bench includes three players who featured on the Offaly under-21 team which beat Kilkenny in the Leinster final this year - David Franks, Aidan Hanrahan and Conor Gath.

Offaly (SH v Kilkenny): S Byrne; S Whelahan, K Kinahan, N Claffey; Brian Whelahan, J Errity, K Martin; Johnny Dooley (capt), G Oakley; J Pilkington, G Hanniffy, B Murphy; M Duignan, J Ryan, Joe Dooley. Subs: E Kennedy, C Cassidy, D Franks, C Farrell, C Gath, A Hanrahan, P Mulhare, J Troy, Barry Whelahan.