Offaly make three changes for win or bust Tailteann Cup encounter

OFFALY have made three changes for their big Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final against Wexford in Tullamore on Saturday.

As expected, Jordan Hayes and Cian Farrell replaced the suspended Dylan Hyland and Jack McEvoy, who were red carded in the second half of last weekend's poor group defeat by Cavan.

The only other change sees Joe Maher named to start instead of Nigel Bracken, who is among the subs.

Offaly finished second in their group and earned a home preliminary quarter-final despite below par performances in their last two games, a draw with Laois and that defeat by Cavan.

There is, however, no margin for error now and while Offaly are favourites against Wexford, they will have to up their performance levels considerably to win.

OFFALY: Ian Duffy (Walsh Island); Lee Pearson (Edenderry), Declan Hogan (Tullamore), David Dempsey (Ballycommon); Cian Donohue (St Brigid's), Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh), Ciaran Donnelly (Bracknagh); Conor McNamee (Rhode), Aaron Leavy (Tullamore); Jordan Hayes (Edenderry), Ruari McNamee (Rhode), Anton Sullivan (Rhode); Cian Farrell (Edenderry), Joe Maher (Ferbane), Nigel Dunne (Shamrocks). Subs – Corey White (Tullamore), Bernard Allen (Tubber), Jamie Evans (Gracefield), Morgan Tynan (Ballinagar), Cormac Delaney (Clara), Jack O'Brien (Durrow), Nigel Bracken (Tullamore), Aaron Brazil (Shannonbridge), Mark Abbott (Edenderry), Luke Egan (Tullamore).