Offaly name strong team for Tailteann Cup game

OFFALY have named their strongest available team for Saturday's Tailteann Cup round 3 group game against Cavan in Longford.

While qualification out of the group is assured, Offaly manager Martin Murphy has resisted the temptation to experiment, sticking with a settled fifteen.

The panel has a stronger look, however, with Bernard Allen and Jordan Hayes included. Allen sustained a bad injury in the championship win over Meath while Hayes has only returned recently from an army tour of duty abroad. Allen is a vastly experienced, opportunist corner forward while Edenderry man Hayes had established himself in recent years and will give Offaly options in midfield, attack and defence.

Saturday's game has a 3.00pm throw in. If Offaly win, they will top the group and go into the quarter-finals while a draw will be enough for Cavan. Offaly are ahead of Laois in the race for second spot but Laois face London and should win there while Cavan are favourites to win in Longford. Offaly's scoring difference is better than Laois and their performance is very important after a poor one when snatching a fortunate draw with Laois in the last game.

The second placed team will have a home game in the preliminary quarter-finals while the third placed are away – three of the best four third placed teams from the four groups qualify but with three points, Offaly are assured of that.

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); Jack McEvoy (Clonbullogue), Conor McNamee (Rhode); Dylan Hyland (Raheen), Ruari McNamee (Rhode), Anton Sullivan (Rhode); Cian Farrell (Edenderry), Nigel Dunne (Shamrocks), Joe Maher (Ferbane). Subs – Corey White (Tullamore), Aaron Leavy (Tullamore), Bernard Allen (Tubber), Nigel Bracken (Tullamore), Morgan Tynan (Ballinagar), Jack O'Brien (Durrow), Cormac Delaney (Clara), Shane Tierney (Daingean), Aaron Brazil (Shannonbridge), Mark Abbott (Edenderry), Jordan Hayes (Edenderry).