Offaly name strong team for Walsh Cup opener
NEW Offaly senior hurling manager Johnny Kelly has fielded a fairly well established team for Sunday's Walsh Cup opener against Kilkenny in Callan but also availed of the opportunity to experiment – 2022 Offaly hurler of the year and an established forward Jason Sampson has been named at the fulcrum of the defence at centre half back.
There is a return for Kilcormac-Killoughey's Cillian Kiely, who will lead the attack at centre half forward and his brother Cathal is on the subs bench. Ross Ravenhill will be partnered by a man more familiar in defence, Paddy Delaney at midfield while Shamrocks' Padraig Cantwell and Belmont's James Nally are getting their chances in the defence.
Belmont's Oisin Kelly is named on the subs – having missed last season with a cruciate injury, Offaly will be hoping to get game time into him soon.