Hanniffy returns to Offaly colours for Wexford clash

Offaly have been boosted by the return of defensive ace Rory Hanniffy for Saturday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Wexford in Tullamore (throw-in: 7pm). The Birr clubman has been out of action since March due to a hand injury, and he did not feature in the recent challenge match against All-Ireland champions Kilkenny. However, Hanniffy is named in the Offaly team at centre half-back, where he is flanked by Diarmuid Horan (St Rynagh's) and James Rigney. At midfield, Conor Mahon is partnered by Kevin Brady while, in an exciting inside forward line, Tullamore's Shane Dooley is joined by Coolderry duo Cathal Parlon and Brian Carroll. Meanwhile, the Wexford team for tomorrow evening's game contains four championship debutants, with Willie Devereux, Stephen Murphy, Shaun Murphy and Jack Guiney all given first starts at this level. Liam Dunne has selected Devereux and Stephen Murphy in the full-back line alongside the experienced Keith Rossiter. Shaun Murphy joins Diarmuid Lyng at midfield, while Rathnure's Jack Guiney is picked at full-forward. When the teams met in Division 1B of this year's National League, Offaly seemed to be cruising to victory at Wexford Park, but three late goals saw the Slaneysiders claim a 3-18 to 2-20 victory. Overall, though, Wexford endured a very disappointing league campaign and they had to overcome Laois in a relegation play-off in order to avoid the drop to Division 2A. Saturday's game between Offaly and Wexford will be broadcast 'live' on RTE 2. The action in O'Connor Park gets underway at 5pm with the Leinster SHC quarter-final of Dublin and Laois. Offaly (SHC v Wexford): James Dempsey; Derek Morkan, David Kenny, David Franks; Diarmuid Horan, Rory Hanniffy, James Rigney; Conor Mahon, Kevin Brady; Joe Bergin, Colin Egan, Brendan Murphy; Shane Dooley, Cathal Parlon, Brian Carroll. Wexford (SHC v Offaly): Eanna Martin; Willie Devereux, Keith Rossiter, Stephen Murphy; David Redmond, Matthew O'Hanlon, Ciaran Kenny; Shaun Murphy, Diarmuid Lyng; Garreth Sinnott, Eoin Quigley, P J Nolan; Rory Jacob, Jack Guiney; Paul Morris. Subs: Mark Fanning, Eoin Moore, Darren Stamp, Richie Kehoe, Bobby Kenny, Harry Kehoe, Paul Roche, James Tonks, Diarmuid O'Keeffe, Gary Moore, Stephen Banville.