Morkan, Molloy and Currams in Offaly line-up for Deise clash
By Kieran Galvin
There are three changes in the Offaly team which will face Waterford in the preliminary round of the All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers tomorrow evening (Saturday).
One of the changes is enforced, with Cathal Parlon ruled out after breaking a bone in his hand during the early stages of Offaly's Leinster championship clash against Kilkenny. The Coolderry man is replaced by Derek Morkan, who missed the Kilkenny game with an leg injury.
Ollie Baker and his selectors have opted to make two further alterations in personnel to their starting XV.
Derek Molloy, who came on as a substitute against Kilkenny, retains his place at centre-forward at the expense of Conor Mahon. The other change is also in attack. Dan Currams - who scored a goal after being sprung from the bench against the Cats - is handed the No. 14 jersey, while Sean Cleary moves to the substitutes' bench.
Meanwhile, as was anticipated, Shane Walsh is absent from Waterford's starting selection due to a hamstring injury. However, Jamie Nagle has recovered from an ankle complaint and has been named in the half back line alongside Michael 'Brick' Walsh and Darragh Fives.
With the game not being televised live, there is expected to be a big crowd in Tullamore for this intriguing clash (throw-in: 7pm)
Offaly will be trying to build on an admirable showing against Kilkenny, during which they caused the All-Ireland champions plenty of problems. The midlanders scored four goals but Kilkenny emerged as victors on a 0-26 to 4-9 scoreline.
For their part, Waterford will be striving to bounce back from their Munster championship defeat to Clare.
Offaly SHC v Waterford
1 James Dempsey; 2 Chris McDonald, 3 David Kenny (capt.), 4 Dermot Mooney; 5 Rory Hanniffy, 6 Ger Healion; 7 Derek Morkan; 8 Brian Carroll, 9 Kevin Brady; 10 Colin Egan, 11 Derek Molloy, 12 Ciaran Slevin; 13 Shane Dooley, 14 Dan Currams, 15 Joe Bergin
Waterford (SHC v Offaly)
Stephen O'Keeffe; Shane Fives, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors; Jamie Nagle, Michael Walsh, Darragh Fives; Paudie Prendergast, Kevin Moran; Jake Dillon, Seamus Prendergast, Shane O'Sullivan; Jamie Barron, Maurice Shanahan, Brian O'Sullivan.