Johnny Kelly (Offaly)
There was plenty of mud thrown towards Offaly hurling boss Johnny Kelly after naming a second-string outfit for their final Joe McDonagh Cup group game against Carlow a fortnight ago.
Many questioned whether or not resting several of their marquee men – even though they were already qualified for the final with a game to spare – was throwing the integrity of the competition into question.
When Carlow battered Offaly by 18 points to book a final date with the Faithful this Saturday, Laois boss Willie Maher was one of those to vent his frustration as the O’Moore men missed out.
Maher remarked that it was “very disappointing” that Offaly opted to play a weakened team against the Barrowsiders before stating that he would not have done the same if Laois had been in the same position.
Kelly will welcome back front-line stars like captain Jason Sampson and ace attackers Eoghan Cahill and Cillian Kiely for Saturday’s rematch with Carlow in Croke Park but some locals are wondering if defeat two weeks ago has dented the Faithful momentum.
Will Kelly’s plan work out or will it come back to bite him in the rear end? All will be revealed come 6.30 on Saturday evening.
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