New Offaly hurling manager Michael Bond has accomplished his first mission, selecting the team to face Antrim in the All-Ireland hurling championship quarter-final at Croke Park on Sunday.
And Bond - who assumed team control after Babs Keating's resignation in the aftermath of the Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny earlier this month - has made three changes in personnel and five positional switches for Sunday's match with the Ulster champions.
Hubert Rigney, who missed the provincial final, returns to the side after injury in his customary centre back position, which allows Brian Whelahan to revert to right half back. Simon Whelahan has been named at right corner back in place of his brother Barry, while Killian Farrell has been entrusted with the half forward position where he replaces Johnny Dooley.
Apart from Johnny Dooley, the Offaly selectors were forced to plan without Darren Hannify, Joe Errity and Paudie Mulhare, but Kevin Martin, who has been struggling with a knee injury, was deemed fit at last night's training session in Tullamore.
Offaly (SH v Antrim): S Byrne; S Whelahan, K Kinahan, M Hanamy; Brian Whelahan, H Rigney, K Martin; J Pilkington, C Cassidy; M Duignan, J Troy, K Farrell; B Dooley, J Ryan, Joe Dooley. Subs: E Kennedy, Barry Whelahan, N Claffey, G Hannify, D Regan, N Murphy, G Oakley, M Rigney, E Martin.
