Shefflin set to play for Cats in Clara challenge match

This Sunday's visit of All-Ireland champions Kilkenny to Clara for a challenge match against Offaly was already an attractive fixture - but the possibility that the occasion could see Henry Shefflin make his long-awaited return to inter-county action adds a further layer of interest. The match between Offaly and Kilkenny is the centrepiece of a day of activity at the official opening of the new Clara GAA facilities in Kilcoursey. New GAA president Liam O'Neill will perform the official opening of Pairc Prionsias at 6pm, which will be followed by the meeting of Kilkenny and Offaly (6.30pm). Multiple All-Star winner Shefflin hasn't featured for the Cats since last September's All-Ireland final after undergoing shoulder surgery in November. However, he made his return to competitive action when he came on as a sub for his club Ballyhale Shamrocks in a league match against Dunnamaggin last Saturday night. Ollie Baker's Offaly charges are currently preparing for their Leinster championship clash against Wexford on Saturday, June 2, and Sunday evening's game will act as ideal preparation. Clara GAA's new ground on the Kilbeggan Road comprises two full-sized pitches, a training pitch, three smaller pitches and a hurling wall. There had been hopes that the Offaly SFC clash between Clara and Ballycumber would be played as a curtain-raiser to the hurling challenge. However, that did not materialise and that football tie between the local rivals will instead take place tonight (Friday) in Tubber at 7pm. In what is a busy weekend for Gaelic games locally, Offaly face Meath in the quarter-finals of the Electric Ireland Leinster MFC on Saturday (O'Connor Park, 2pm). The Offaly minor hurlers were knocked of the Leinster championship by Laois last weekend - it was the first time the O'Moore County defeated their neighbours in the Leinster MHC since 1972. Meanwhile, Ciaran McManus won't be coming out of retirement to assist Offaly in their upcoming Leinster SFC quarter-final against Kildare, it has emerged. Interim Offaly manager Tom Coffey extended an invitation to McManus to rejoin the county panel after taking over from Gerry Cooney, but the Tubber stalwart has decided not to return. Clara's Thomas Deehan won't be returning to the fold either, despite initial reports that he would do so, but Coffey has succeeded in bringing Niall Smith, John Reynolds, Ross Brady and Richie Dalton back into the set-up. Former Laois player Mark Dunne, who now plays his club football with Rhode, has also been added to the panel. Dunne scored 0-4 against his native county in last Friday night's challenge in Mountmellick. That challenge was narrowly won by Laois (0-16 to 0-14), with Ken Casey scoring 0-5 for Offaly. Star forward Niall McNamee wasn't involved for Offaly as he continues his recovery from a long-standing groin problem. SF Challenge in Cloghan Offaly will face Westmeath in a senior football challenge on Saturday, May 26, at the opening of the new St Rynagh's GAA football grounds in Cloghan (6pm). GAA president Liam O'Neill will officially open the new facilities, and the occasion will be capped off by the match between the midland neighbours.