Offaly name strong team for National Hurling League opener

OFFALY have named a strong looking team for Sunday's National Hurling League Division 1 opener against Waterford in Tullamore.

Back up in Division 1 hurling, where they will be pitting themselves against some of the best hurlers in the land, it is no surprise that manager Johnny Kelly has named what is more or less his strongest available team.

Dara Maher, Jack Clancy and the veteran David King figured regularly last year and are on the subs bench while two of this year's U-20 hurling team, Cathal King and Dan Bourke are selected to start – another two, Adam Screeney and Donal Shirley are in the subs.

Offaly have went for strength down the middle with Ciaran Burke full back, Cillian Kiely centre back, Cathal King and Leon Fox midfield, Eimhin Kelly centre half forward and Brian Duignan full forward.

Offaly face a tough campaign with games to follow against Wexford, Clare, Kilkenny and Cork. They will be underdogs in all those games but will be hoping to be competitive and sneak a win in one of them.

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), Sam Bourke (Durrow); Killian Sampson (Shinrone), Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Jason Sampson (Shinrone); Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown), Leon Fox (Belmont); David Nally (Belmont), Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh), Dan Bourke (Durrow); Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Eoghan Cahill (Birr). Subs – Mark Troy (Durrow), Jack Clancy (Belmont), David King (Coolderry), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Donal Shirley (Tubber), Morgan Watkins (Birr), Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty), Joe Hoctor (Carrig-Riverstown), Dara Maher (Shinrone), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry), Paul Cleary (Shinrone).