Offaly-Cork SHC Qualifier Match Pick...

Phase One of the All Ireland Hurling Qualifiers starts on Saturday with the highly anticipated meeting of Offaly and Cork in Tullamore.

Offaly hurling boss Joe Dooley will without the services of team captain Ger Oakley (elbow), James Rigney (shoulder), Daniel Currams (finger) and Cathal Parlon (knee).

Dooley has switched Rory Hanniffy to centre back, brought Paul Cleary out to the wing and starts Birr pair Dylan Hayden and Michael Verney at right half back and left corner back respectively. Veteran defender David Franks has recovered from a collapsed lung to take his place at corner back. While full back David Kenny has also been passed fit, despite his recent hamstring problems.

Offaly Team:
B Mullins; D Franks, D Kenny, M Verney; D Hayden, R Hanniffy, P Cleary; K Brady, B Murphy; B Carroll, C Mahon, D Molloy; S Dooley, J Brady, J Bergin.

Cork manager Denis Walsh is still seeking his first win since taking charge of the Rebels. The Rebels are the team that everyone wanted to avoid in the draw, but unfortunately for Offaly they drew them.

Tadgh Og Murphy and Pa Cronin come in for a new-look midfield, while Shane Murphy comes in at centre forward. Ben O'Connor moves into the inside forward line, while Kieran Murphy from Erin's Own comes in at full-forward. In the defence Shane Murphy starts at corner back with Conor O'Sullivan dropping to the bench.

Cork Team:
Donal Óg Cusack, Shane O'Neill, Eoin Cadogan, Shane Murphy, John Gardiner, Ronan Curran, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Tom Kenny, Tadhg Og Murphy, Jerry O'Connor, Pa Cronin, Timmy McCarthy, Ben O'Connor, Aisake Ó hAilpín, Kieran Murphy.

Having failed to perform in the Leinster SHC, the Faithful men will look at this clash as the way to make up for their defeat to Wexford. For the Rebels, they will see this game as the ideal opportunity to get some more game time that was obviously lacking in their Munster SHC defeat to Tipperary.

I think that Offaly's seriously depleted team will cost them the win.

Winner: Cork

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