Offaly team named for O'Byrne Cup opener

THE Offaly senior football team has been named for today's O'Byrne Cup opener against Wicklow in Tullamore.

With Johnny Moloney opting out for the year and possibly retiring from intercounty football, Niall McNamee “95% certain” not to return, new manager Liam Kearns and selectors Martin Murphy and John Rouse have named an experimental team.

There is, however, very good news on it with Edenderry's Cian Farrell named to start full forward. Farrell missed all last year with a cruciate injury and his return is a huge boost. Peter Cunningham is also back after missing last year as he was away on army duty. He has been given a new role at centre half back.

There is a return for the veteran Nigel Dunne. The Shamrocks man had left the panel three years ago after a falling out with previous manager John Maughan. It looked like his career was over but he impressed in trials last year and will lead the attack from centre half forward.

There is a debut for Tullamore's Corey White in goals while the team looks reasonably strong with well established players, Declan Hogan, David Dempsey and Anton Sullivan all selected.

Offaly have gone with a novice midfield pairing of Ferbane's Kevin Nugent and Clonbullogue's Jack McEvoy while three members of the 2021 All-Ireland U-20 football champions, Rory Egan, Lee Pearson and Jack Bryant will start Aaron Kellaghan, Aaron Brazil, Cormac Delaney and E Cullen are on the subs.

Ferbane's Joe Maher is among the subs while Bernard Allen is also back, after leaving the panel last year when he fell out with Maughan after being left off in some games.