Offaly's game with Galway faces Sunday morning pitch inspection

Tullamore on standby to host game if Birr pitch deemed unplayable

OFFALY'S Allianz Hurling League fixture with Galway on Sunday faces an early morning pitch inspection.

The game is fixed for Grant Heating St Brendan's Park, Birr, with a 2pm throw in but Offaly GAA stated on Saturday that a pitch inspection will take place at the Birr venue at 9am on Sunday morning (February 22nd).

If the pitch is deemed unplayable the game will be moved to Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

Offaly GAA are advising patrons to keep an eye on their social media platforms for any updates and they will let supporters know the situation as soon as possible.

The Offaly team named for the game shows a number of changes from the defeat to Waterford. Killian Sampson makes his first start of the season and captains the side from the centre half back position and alongside him Donal Shirley comes back into the side for his first game since going off injured in the opening game against Kilkenny. Jack Clancy starts on the left in a new look half back line.

Liam Hoare is restored between the posts after Mark Troy got a run out the last day with Ter Guinan and Cathal King teaming up in the middle of the field.

Conor Doyle starts at centre half forward with the other five forwards retaining their places from the Waterford game.

The full line out is as follows: Liam Hoare; Ben Miller, Ben Conneely, Brecon Kavanagh; Donal Shirley, Killian Sampson, Jack Clancy; Cathal King, Ter Guinan; Oisin Kelly, Conor Doyle, Daniel Bourke; Eoghan Cahill, Brian Duignan, Adam Screeney. Subs. Mark Troy, Luke Nolan, David Nally, Patrick Taaffe, Eimhin Kelly, Ciaran Cleary, Sam Bourke, Colin Spain, Luke Watkins, Cian Burke, Daniel Hand.