Offaly make two changes for Joe McDonagh Cup clash

OFFALY have made two changes in personnel for Saturday's Joe McDonagh Cup game against Down in Tullamore. Kinnitty's Paddy Delaney replaces Joey Keenaghan at midfield while Paddy Clancy of Belmont is called into the attack instead of Charlie Mitchell.

Mitchell is named among the subs but Offaly U-20 hurlers will have first call on his services this weekend – they play Kildare in a preliminary quarter-final in Tullamore on Friday evening.

Mitchell came on as a sub in the U-20 win against Antrim last weekend but was taken off once the game was wrapped up while he started in Sunday's Joe McDonagh Cup win over Kildare.

There have been a couple of positional switches but nothing major – Jack Screeney haas been selected on the full back line with David King going out to wing back while Jack Clancy has been switched to midfield with the in-form Cillian Kiely on the half forward line. Another form player, David Nally is named at centre half forward.

Offaly have made an impressive start to the Joe McDonagh Cup with wins over Laois and Kildare and are warm favourites to beat Down. They will have a much needed week off after Saturday's game and six points from their first three games would have them in a very strong position.

As expected Offaly have named their strongest available team, taking into account Mitchell's U-20 involvement but if they can build up a lead, they may give a chanc to subs who either haven't featured or have got a limited look in so far.

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Jack Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's); David King (Coolderry), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Killian Sampson (Shinrone); Jack Clancy (Belmont), Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty); Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey), David Nally (Belmont), Adrian Cleary (Shinrone); Paddy Clancy (Belmont), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Eoghan Cahill (Birr). Subs – Eamon Cleary (Shinrone), Cathal Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gael), Dara Maher (Shinrone), John Murphy (Ballinamere), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), James Nally (Belmont), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry), Conor Langton (Clodiagh Gaels), Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels), Cathal O'Meara (Clara).