Waterford have applied to have their All-Ireland quarter-final against Galway postponed from next Sunday. The county board faxed the request to the GAA's Games Administration Committee yesterday and await a response.

It is unlikely to be a favourable one as the GAC has stuck to the set date over the last week when protest was mounting at the prospect of the defeated Munster finalists having to play championship matches on three successive Sundays.

No sooner did it became clear that Waterford were going to be the unlucky team in question than they drew Galway, the harder of the quarter-final possibilities. There is bound to be weariness in the Waterford camp after the two attritional matches against Clare but whereas the county can expect sympathy for their difficult task, there is unlikely to be a postponement.

Last night the county board was pressing ahead on the basis that their application would be unsuccessful and deciding whether to allocate tickets through the clubs in the county or put them on open sale to the public when they become available tomorrow.

On the playing front, there is optimism in Waterford that full back Sean Cullinane, who missed Sunday's Munster final replay, will have recovered from his hamstring injury and be able to take his place. His replacement, Mark O'Sullivan, would presumably drop back to the bench.

In attack Billy O'Sullivan, dropped for the replay, will come into contention for the vacancy in the forwards caused by Michael White's suspension. Sean Daly will also be in the reckoning.

Opponents Galway have a list of injury concerns topped by the important central duo of midfielder Liam Burke and Cathal Moore, who can play on either 40. Both missed the Connacht final win over Roscommon. Also struggling is veteran Michael Coleman while Justin Campbell, Micheal Donoghue and Conor O'Donovan are definitely out.

Among the other selection puzzles is the likely composition of the full-back line which featured a switch between usual left corner back Liam Hodgins and full back and captain Brian Feeney. The team will be announced tonight.

In the run-up to the other quarter-final, Leinster finalists Offaly are again stricken with injuries, the most serious of which is the certain absence of Johnny Dooley, whose late goal edged the team past Wexford in the provincial semi-final.

A serious facial wound which necessitated stitches has been confirmed as a broken cheekbone which may keep him out of the game until the end of the season.

Other definite absentees are Joe Errity and Darren Hannify, while injuries are also bothering John Troy, Paudie Mulhaire and Daithi Regan.

The death has occurred of Bernie O'Callaghan, one Kerry's selectors in last year's All-Ireland football championship win.

O'Callaghan, from the Beale club, stepped down as a selector at the beginning of this year because of illness.

Jeremy Staunton, who captained the Ireland under-19 rugby team last season, makes his first appearance of the current campaign for the Limerick minor footballers in their meeting with Cork in the Munster championship semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday. Also in the team is Brian Geary, who collected a Dr Harty cup medal as well as All-Ireland honours with St Flannan's College in Ennis.