Whelahan makes sure all his options are covered

Hurling's ubiquitous coach Pat Joe Whelahan clicks into jovial mode when reminded of the possibility of his career moving towards acute embarrassment this season.

Whelahan's involvement with Leinster champions Birr and Munster title-chasing Toomevara could yet see his love for the game resulting in the unthinkable, stepping down from both positions.

Should his teams win their respective provincial titles and face each other in the All-Ireland series, Whelahan may have to call a friend for assistance when attempting to arrive at the best and fairest solution in what would be an unprecedented conundrum. In the event, the likely outcome could see the Tipperary champions looking for a new boss.

"Ah, sure its only sport," says Offaly's astute hurling expert, "finding a pitch to play either game on at the weekend will be the biggest problem given conditions at all grounds."

Whelahan's Birr are scheduled to make an opening defence of their title at home against Laois champions Castletown tomorrow. Then, on Sunday, Whelahan's Toomevara are down to play Limerick's Patrickswell in a second-round replay at the Gaelic Grounds.

The overly committed Offaly tactician is into his fourth year at the helm with Birr. "I wanted to quit last year, but they persuaded me to stay on for another season.

"Then, at the beginning of the year I was asked to assist Tom Ryan in Toomevara. I agreed, but since then Tom has left the club and I agreed to soldier on by giving them two nights a week."

Whelahan's coaching career with Birr has brought county, provincial and All-Ireland success home to Offaly's proud hurling heartland. Last St Patrick's Day, they lost out to Athenry by two points in the All-Ireland decider.

If the Birr maestro sounds a little apprehensive for Toomevara's chances, he has good reason for so doing. Paddy O'Brien is the latest of four Tipperary county players to be struck down by injury. O'Brien sustained a hand injury in last Sunday's drawn game and is reckoned to be a doubtful starter.

Prolific scorer Tomas Dunne is still serving a one-month suspension while Paul McGrath remains on the injured list. Remarkably, both team captain Terry Dunne and Eoin Brisane have had appendix operations.

Paul "Pillar" Caffrey watched Longford's Abbeylara beat St Joseph's of Laois in the first round of the Leinster championship. The experience left him under no illusions about the magnitude of the task his Na Fianna side face in Longford on Sunday.

"They were an eye opener," says the team manager. "They play direct football and try to get the ball in to Niall Sheridan, their obvious target man, with early deliveries. I can see Sheridan's dual with our full back Brian McManus as a key issue."

The Dunshaughlin-Rathnew marathon is scheduled to role on back in Navan on Sunday and the home side have postponed naming their team until after training tomorrow morning. Wing back Dermot Kealy and full forward Mick McHale are doubtful because of injury.

Once again, Rathnew's short-ball game as opposed to Dunshaughlin's more direct tactics is likely to be the order in the second replay tie.