McManus included in Offaly line-up
Offaly supporters will breath a sigh of relief that their star man Ciaran McManus looks set to play in Sunday's Leinster SFC first round clash with Westmeath.
The Tubber clubman sustained an ankle injury in a challenge match last Wednesday against Clare. But with no ligament damage and the initial swelling gone away, McManus has been listed in the Offaly side for their championship opener at Croke Park.
McManus and Alan McNamee have been paired at centre-field by Offaly manager Kevin Kilmurray, who has made three changes to the side he fielded against Clare.
The switches see reigning All-Ireland Kick Fada champion Padraig Kelly return in goal, Kevin Lynam is named at right half back - with Nigel Grennan on the left flank - and John Reynolds gets the nod over James Coughlan at left half-forward.
Offaly, who were relegated from NFL Division One this season, will be hoping for better luck in Leinster than last year. 2005 saw them beat Louth in the first round before losing to Laois by two points (1-08 to 1-10) after conceding a late goal in the quarter-final.
Sunday's winners will face Kildare in a May 28 quarter-final.
OFFALY (SFC v Westmeath) - P Kelly; G Rafferty, S Sullivan, N Grennan; K Lynam, S Brady, K Slattery (capt); C McManus, A McNamee; C Quinn, N Coughlan, J Reynolds; T Deehan, P Kellaghan, N McNamee.
