Time running out for injured Offaly pair

Offaly are almost certain to be without the services of both Hubert Rigney and Kevin Martin for their All-Ireland hurling semi-final meeting with Cork at Croke Park on Sunday.

Both half backs were taken off injured in Offaly's comfortable win over Antrim just over a week ago, and despite the nature of their problems being less serious than first reported, recovery has been slow. It was Rigney's shin injury that caused most concern and the centre back will be a major loss for manager Michael Bond.

"Hubert is off the crutches but the leg is still very painful and tender," according to a county spokesperson yesterday. "He hasn't been doing any training whatsoever and time is just very much against him."

Martin suffered a bad knock on his hand, losing a nail on his finger and damaging the flesh underneath. He's been unable to hold a hurley all week, leaving his chances of starting in similar doubt.

That should give his replacement, Niall Claffey, the chance of a starting place as should Barry Whelahan, who came in for Rigney, although Bond has delayed naming his team until after training on Thursday.

With doubts remaining over the match fitness of Joe Dooley, the final team will, nevertheless, be something of a dilemma for Bond and his fellow selectors.

Cork, however, will announce their team this evening and the reports yesterday were that every panel member has a clean bill of health, ensuring manager Jimmy Barry Murphy can call on his best possible line-up.

It is unlikely, therefore, that the Cork side will see any significant changes from that which comfortably dismissed Clare in the Munster final back on July 4th. The three substitutions that day were tactical moves inside the last quarter, with Pat Ryan coming in for Mark Landers and Alan Browne for Neil Ronan. Kevin Murray replaced Seanie McGrath in the final 10 minutes.